Nigeria’s Growing Global Influence: HAI Hails Tinubu’s UK Royal Visit


The Hope Alive Initiative (HAI) has welcomed the forthcoming state visit of Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to the United Kingdom, UK. The group made the observation in a statement by its Director of Press and communications, Ernest Omoarelojie, in Abuja on Thursday. 

According to HAI, the visit, first of its kind in almost four decades, is not just “symbolic of the elevated ties and recognition of both President Tinubu and Nigeria’s importance within the Commonwealth and the UK”, it is also but a validation of the President’s soft-power approach to diplomacy over which the country is recording increasing influence in global affairs.

While assuring that it has faith in the ability of the President to tap on the visit to engage in high level discussions aimed at strengthening sustainable development in Nigeria, HAI also urged Nigerians to see the visit as a reflection of the enduring friendship between Nigeria and the UK, which signals the beginning of a renewed era of cooperation in diplomacy, trade, security and cultural exchange. 

“HAI is confident that President Tinubu would use the visit to engage in high-level discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, expanding economic opportunities and deepening cooperation on shared priorities between the two nations, such as climate action, counter-terrorism and sustainable development,” the statement read in part.

The group also noted with confidence that President Tinubu would use the visit to acknowledge the contributions of the Nigerian diaspora in the UK, attract investment, promote innovation, reinforce cultural and educational ties between both countries, in ways that enhance Nigeria’s global standing, enough to enable the United Kingdom reaffirm its partnership with Nigeria and other African nations in the post-Brexit era.

HAI also urged Nigerians to support President Tinubu, citing his administration's bold economic reforms already producing positive signs that they are putting the country on the path to sustainability and prosperity by significantly increasing the country’s revenue base for sustainable development. 

Citing the removal of fuel subsidy as an example, HAI noted that it ended the erstwhile persistent fuel queues and significantly increased states' revenues, adding that Nigerians must also take cognisance of the positive impacts of his other remarkable reforms, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, which has distributed over N206bn interest-free loans to more than 1,164,222 students in support of their tertiary education since the programme was launched in 2024.

HAI noted that the unification of the foreign exchange market, another reform policy by the President, enabled manufacturers and businesses to plan within a single exchange window, having eliminated the distortions associated with the previous multi-window regime. The result is that the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, officially commended the policy for reducing the activities of middlemen.

The group emphasised that improvements in fiscal discipline and other macroeconomic indicators, including decline in inflation from 34.19 per cent in 2024 to 15.10 per cent by January 2026, GDP growth of 4.07 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2025-the highest in three years, and an increase in foreign reserves to $45.4 billion as of December 2025, are some of the other notable outcome of President Tinubu’s bold reform policies over which Nigerians need to acknowledge particularly because they are yielding measurable gains, already receiving accolades from recognised global rating organisations while at the same time gaining increasing international recognition as standards for sustainable development.

The recognitions, HAI noted, informs why Nigeria’s relations with key allies, including the United States, is leaping in bounds, leading for instance, to strengthen its relationship in the area of counter terrorism cooperation and financial crime prevention, leading to the country’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force, FATF, grey list.

The group therefore called for a national consensus in support of the administration, pointing to what it described as growing political alignment across party lines as the way to back the President’s agenda in order for him to conclude the country’s economic renaissance.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

GOVERNMENT SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Image
  The Edo State Government hereby notifies all Public Servants, Political Appointees, and Government Functionaries serving in any capacity within the Edo State Public Service that any officer who intends to contest for any elective position in the forthcoming electoral cycle must tender his or her resignation on or before 1st March, 2026, prior to participating in any party primaries or electoral process. This directive is issued in strict compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act (Amendment) 2026, and is aimed at ensuring that all aspiring candidates do not run the risk of disqualification by the relevant electoral authorities. Government emphasizes that this requirement is intended to promote fairness, transparency, and a level playing field for all aspirants, while also safeguarding the integrity and neutrality of public institutions. Public office holders are reminded that the responsibilities of governance must not be compromised by partisan political engagements. Al...
Read more

Gov Okpebholo Leads APC Delegation on Condolence Visit to Okao of Ologbo

Image
  Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo led a high-powered delegation of government officials and party leaders on a condolence visit to the Okao of Ologbo, Chief Emmanuel Iyase, following the passing of his wife, Mrs. Mandaline Iyase. The visit, which drew prominent figures from the state’s political leadership, was marked by solemn reflections and words of comfort for the grieving family. Speaking during the visit, Governor Okpebholo said he came alongside key stakeholders, including the local government chairman and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to sympathize with Chief Iyase over the painful loss. The governor said, “I’m here with my local government chairman and other party leaders as a group to commiserate with you over the death of your wife. It is painful, but you have to bear it. No matter how much you cry, she will never come back. And I believe God will give you the heart to bear it,”  He encouraged the bereaved to remain strong and focus on...
Read more

2026 WORKERS’ DAY ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, SENATOR MONDAY OKPEBHOLO GOVERNOR OF EDO STATE.

Image
Protocol  I am very delighted to join the hardworking men and women of Edo State on this special occasion of Workers’ Day 2026. Today, we celebrate the men and women whose daily efforts keep our state moving forward. From teachers to health workers, civil servants, artisans, traders, and security personnel, you are the backbone of Edo’s progress. I thank you all. Let me also appreciate our labour leaders for their support and cooperation, which have sustained a cordial relationship between labour and government. Your constructive engagement has helped us focus on development. From the first day of this administration, workers’ welfare has remained a top priority. We have ensured prompt payment of salaries and sustained payment of the 13th month salary. A year ago, we approved a new minimum wage of ₦75,000 monthly because labour deserves decent reward. We have released the first tranche of ₦1 billion for payment of outstanding salary arrears to Ambrose Alli University. We have also ...
Read more