Presidency aide Sunday Dare urges Britain to play a more engaged role in shaping global perceptions of Nigeria…
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s upcoming visit to London is being framed as a pivotal moment to redefine Nigeria’s relationship with the United Kingdom. According to Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Communication, Britain’s voice could have helped temper recent global debates over alleged religious persecution in Nigeria.
In a post on his X platform, Dare argued that the UK’s long-standing institutional knowledge of Nigeria makes its perspective vital during contentious international discussions. He noted that while Britain has historically maintained deep political, economic, and institutional ties with Africa’s largest democracy, it has sometimes appeared distant when narratives about Nigeria gain traction abroad.
Dare stressed that renewed partnership should go beyond trade figures and routine diplomacy, calling for frank engagement and strategic alignment. “When President Tinubu arrives in London, he is not simply visiting a former colonial capital. He is engaging a nation whose financial markets, diaspora networks, universities and security institutions remain deeply intertwined with Nigeria’s trajectory,” he wrote.
Comparing Britain’s role to Nigeria’s recent outreach to Türkiye, Dare described the UK as a gateway into global financial, technological, and diplomatic systems. He said deeper collaboration could strengthen Nigeria’s integration into those networks and advance mutual interests.
“The task before both countries now is to ensure that the bridge built by history becomes a highway to the future,” Dare concluded.