British Prime Minister - Boris Johnson has appointed the Member of Parliament (MP) representing Maidstone and The Weald - Helen Grant, as his Trade Envoy to Nigeria.
Nigeria is seen as one of the most important international markets for UK trade and investment opportunities as Britain leaves the EU on 31st December 2020.
Helen Grant MP (left) with Liz Truss - Secretary of State for International Trade
Helen Grant MP (left) with Liz Truss - Secretary of State for International Trade, upon her appointment as the Prime Minister’s UK Trade Envoy to Nigeria
Nigeria is the largest and fastest growing economy in the African Continent, overtaking South Africa in 2016 and now ahead by a significant margin.
With a population of 200 million, Nigeria shares a similar legal system, time-zone, national language and a long history of intertwined cultures. While official census figures indicate that there are at least 200,000 Nigerian nationals resident in the UK, unofficial sources put the number at a over a million including undocumented and dual-heritage citizens.
Helen said: ‘I am absolutely delighted with my appointment as the Prime Minister’s UK Trade Envoy to Nigeria. Both countries are close to my heart, my father being Nigerian and my mother English. And now I have an opportunity to employ my rich dual heritage to help magnify an already strong UK - Nigerian relationship for our mutual prosperity.
As the largest and fastest growing economy on the African Continent, the potential for trade and investment with Nigeria is stunning. I will do my utmost to help develop that as part of our nation’s collective drive toward an outward looking global Britain.’