The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, has described Nigeria’s current security challenges as “worrisome,” attributing the situation to spillovers from regional conflicts in Sudan and Niger.

Speaking at a media briefing held at his residence in Abuja, Dr. Montgomery said the UK government is actively collaborating with Nigeria’s Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to curb the deteriorating security situation. “The issue of insecurity is still there and it is worrisome. But we are working very closely with the Office of the National Security Adviser in Nigeria to offer help in this area,” he stated.

He emphasized that Nigeria’s insecurity is compounded by instability in the Sahel region. “The problem of insecurity in Nigeria is complicated by the fact that it is a spillover from the crisis in the Sahel region, particularly in Sudan and Niger,” the envoy explained, though he did not disclose specific measures being taken.

On another note, Dr. Montgomery raised concerns over increasing cases of visa fraud in Nigeria, which he identified as a major reason behind recent visa rejections for UK-bound travelers. He advised Nigerian applicants to ensure they submit proper documentation when applying for UK visas. “Provide the right supporting documents,” he urged, noting that doing so would significantly improve the chances of securing travel clearance.

Turning to trade and economic matters, the British envoy reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to promoting bilateral ties through the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP) between the two countries. He expressed optimism about Nigeria’s economic reforms, saying they are making the country more attractive to international investors.

“The reforms are making Nigeria more investable,” Montgomery stated. “We agree with the World Bank Report recently released that the Naira is now more stable and foreign exchange predictability enhances business and investments. Again, foreign reserves are going up and that makes Nigeria less risky for investment.”

He acknowledged that inflation remains high, currently hovering around 20%, but highlighted progress made in revenue generation and fiscal management. “There is a big increase in government revenue and the abolition of fuel subsidy has brought more money for Nigeria. It is almost 90 per cent of revenue. The growth rate has risen. These reforms are working and they are making Nigeria more investable,” he concluded.

Dr. Montgomery’s remarks reflect the UK’s continued interest in Nigeria’s stability and prosperity, and signal an intent to deepen economic, security, and diplomatic cooperation.