“Beyond London: Strengthening UK–Nigeria Trade and Investment Partnerships”
Prepared by:
Mazi. Godson Azu
Director, CaterandMerger Consult UK
- Introduction
I am highly delighted to have participated in the first-day session of the Annual Nigeria–British Chambers of Commerce (NBCC) Trade Mission to the United Kingdom, a strategic platform designed to deepen bilateral trade relations, promote investment partnerships, and expand economic cooperation between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
The opening session was hosted by ETK Group UK, a leading Africa-focused trade advisory organisation, in collaboration with major institutional partners including:
• Essex Chambers of Commerce
• Greater Essex Business Board
• Essex Growth Agency
• Essex County Council
• British Chambers of Commerce (BCC)
• London Stansted Airport
The programme also received strong support from key sponsors and partners such as Zenith Bank, Bank of Industry, Access Bank, Page, Sycamore, Zenith Carex, FreePort East, among others. Media presence, including Ms. Juliana of Channels TV London, added visibility and international engagement to the event.
- Venue and Strategic Theme – “Beyond London”
The event was held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, London Stansted Airport, Essex, a deliberate choice reflecting the theme “Beyond London.”
This concept emphasised:
• Showcasing regional economic opportunities outside central London
• Promoting Essex as an emerging economic powerhouse
• Encouraging decentralised investment exploration across the UK
• Introducing foreign delegates to thriving business ecosystems within regional communities
The airport setting provided an excellent ambience, combining accessibility, hospitality, and a welcoming community environment that fostered productive engagement among international delegates and UK-based participants.
- Opening Remarks and Key Presentations
The session featured a series of impactful speeches and investment-focused presentations from distinguished public and private sector leaders.
Host Welcome Address
Bolaji Sofoluwe OBE, Host and Trade Expert, delivered the introductory remarks, setting the tone for collaboration and emphasising practical outcomes from the trade mission.
Stansted Airport Welcome
Mark Hardaker, Chief Airport Assets and Development Officer at London Stansted Airport, welcomed delegates and highlighted:
• The airport’s economic significance
• Infrastructure development opportunities
• Trade logistics advantages linking the UK to global markets
NBCC Presidential Address
Prince Abimbola Olashore, President and Chair of Council of the Nigeria–British Chambers of Commerce, delivered a powerful keynote presentation outlining:
• The importance of sustained UK–Nigeria trade engagement
• Strategic expectations of the annual trade mission
• The need for actionable partnerships and measurable business outcomes
He encouraged delegates to prioritise productive engagement capable of translating discussions into tangible ventures.
Essex County Council Presentation
Cllr. Louise McKinley, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities, Essex County Council, formally welcomed participants to Essex and presented:
• The county’s economic strengths
• Environmental sustainability initiatives
• Opportunities for international investors and business collaborations
Lagos State Investment Presentation
One of the most engaging sessions was delivered by Hon. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, Honourable Commissioner for Investment, Industry and Commerce, Lagos State, Nigeria. Her presentation highlighted:
• Lagos State’s investment readiness
• Ease of Doing Business reforms
• Infrastructure expansion
• Opportunities across commerce, technology, and industrial sectors
Regional Business Perspectives
Additional insightful presentations were delivered by:
• Julia Gregory, Chair, Greater Essex Business Board
• Zoe Gordon, Essex County Council
Speakers collectively showcased opportunities across:
• Ports and maritime economy
• Supply chain and logistics
• Artificial Intelligence for business growth
• Governance policy collaboration
• Agriculture and food systems development
- Innovative Matchmaking & Breakout Sessions
A defining feature of this year’s opening session was the introduction of structured matchmaking and breakout roundtable discussions.
This innovative format enabled participants to:
• Identify sector-specific interests
• Engage in targeted networking
• Develop direct partnership conversations
• Accelerate collaboration efficiency
Thematic Matchmaking Groups Included:
• Advanced Manufacturing
• AI, Digital & Data Technology
• Government & Policy
• Green Energy
• Creative Industry
• Ports, Maritime & Logistics
• Life Sciences
The outcomes were highly impressive. Each group produced structured reports presented during the panel discussion session, demonstrating strong engagement and real partnership potential.
- Closing Institutional Remarks
The session concluded with well-articulated remarks by Mrs. Opeyemi Abebe, Head of Trade Competitiveness Programme at the Commonwealth Secretariat, London.
Her address emphasised:
• Trade competitiveness within Commonwealth economies
• Policy alignment for sustainable trade growth
• The importance of institutional cooperation in advancing global commerce
- Networking and Strategic Engagement
Beyond formal presentations, the event provided an excellent opportunity to reconnect and build relationships with longstanding partners and industry leaders, including:
• NBCC leadership and Director-General Ms. Adaobi
• Rotimi Akinde, Executive Director (Finance), Bank of Industry
• Stella Okuzu FRSA, Director & CEO, Royal Africa Society
• Morayo Adekunle, Deputy Country Director & Investment Officer, UK Department for Business and Trade (British High Commission Lagos)
• Media representatives including Channels TV London
• Several business leaders and investment stakeholders
These engagements reinforced the mission’s role as a bridge between policy dialogue and practical enterprise collaboration.
- Key Observations and Outcomes
The first-day session demonstrated several important trends:
• Growing UK regional interest in African partnerships
• Increasing focus on sector-driven collaboration rather than general networking
• Strong alignment between public policy and private investment priorities
• Expansion of technology, logistics, and green economy opportunities
• Enhanced matchmaking models improving partnership efficiency
- Conclusion
The opening session of the Nigeria–British Chambers of Commerce Trade Mission successfully set a forward-looking tone for the week’s engagements. By moving discussions “Beyond London,” the programme effectively highlighted regional UK investment ecosystems while strengthening Nigeria–UK economic diplomacy.
The structured engagement model, high-level participation, and sector-focused discussions collectively reinforced the importance of sustained international collaboration in advancing trade, innovation, and sustainable economic development.
About the Author
Mazi. Godson Azu
Director, CaterandMerger Consult UK
At CaterandMerger Consult UK, we specialise in:
• Venture partnership facilitation
• Project financing bridge solutions
• Governance and accountability advisory
• Leadership development and institutional capacity building
We help organisations solve venture partnership challenges while bridging gaps in financing, governance, and sustainable leadership development
