Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 3
3
Paragraph: 8
The UK’s approach in Nigeria should be one that is defined by detailed and coherent...
Recommendation
The UK’s approach in Nigeria should be one that is defined by detailed and coherent long-term engagement. Yet it should be sufficiently agile to take advantage of new opportunities. As the FCDO makes difficult decisions on programme activities over the coming years, particularly those funded through Official Development Assistance, careful attention should be paid to ensuring the High Commission is able to be proactive and responsive rather than simply reactive. It is vital that UK partners and scrutiny bodies understand the aims and strategy of the UK in Nigeria in order to carry out their work as effectively as possible: In the next six months we recommend that the FCDO develop and publish an integrated delivery plan for Nigeria detailing how the aspirations of the Integrated Review will be executed in Nigeria. There should be realistic and measurable objectives for UK policy in Nigeria over the next five to ten years with clear activities and policies, and the plan should set out the resources required and which Government departments will be responsible for delivering them.
Paragraph Reference:
8
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
We partially agree with this recommendation. We agree that there are benefits to a clear and realistic longer-term plan for our approach in Nigeria. However, we do not agree that we should publish a new integrated delivery plan within the next six months. An internal, cross-government, strategy which guides our approach with Nigeria is already in existence and runs to 2023. This coincides with Nigeria’s electoral process, with Presidential elections expected next year. The Integrated Review sets an ambition of developing mutual partnerships which support African-led ambitions, working together to further our shared prosperity goals, our democratic values and our security interests. The recently published International Development Strategy (IDS)1 also details how we ensure close alignment of UK aid with IR objectives. The result of next year’s election in Nigeria could see changes in priorities and our areas of mutual interest. We will therefore look to refresh our internal cross-government strategy post-election. The FCDO will also run a light touch process to develop One-HMG country plans in due course, including for our activity in Nigeria. These plans will be developed in collaboration with the rest of HMG.