Nigeria is poised to strengthen its global influence in the coming decades, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, has said, emphasizing that peace, resilience, and institutional stability are critical to the country’s growth and international standing.
Montgomery made the remarks in Abuja during the inaugural Annual Learning and Adaptation Event of the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiNG) Programme. The forum brought together senior government officials, security agencies, development partners, and civil society leaders to review strategies for reducing violence and enhancing climate resilience across northern Nigeria.
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According to the High Commissioner, Nigeria’s rapidly expanding population and strategic position on the global stage mean that its influence will only increase over time, reinforcing the importance of the UK–Nigeria Strategic Partnership, signed in 2024.
“Nigeria is one of our important diplomatic partners. Its influence will grow significantly in the decades ahead, and it is crucial that this growth is underpinned by stability and resilience,” Montgomery said.
The two-day SPRiNG forum provided a platform for assessing evidence-based approaches to conflict prevention, embedding peace mechanisms, and adapting responses to evolving security and climate challenges. Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the initiative aims to strengthen institutional capacity for conflict management, enhance public confidence in government institutions, and create sustainable incentives for peace across the country.
Montgomery explained that the programme integrates both institutional support and community-based initiatives, combining law enforcement cooperation with grassroots resilience measures.
“It’s about providing institutional support to official agencies, building community-based initiatives, and strengthening law enforcement and community resilience,” he said.
The event also featured contributions from senior government representatives, including the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, and the ministries of Women Affairs and Livestock Development, highlighting the links between gender inclusion, livelihoods, and security.
Dr. Ukoha Ukiwo, SPRiNG Team Leader, noted that the initiative’s success lies in its evidence-driven, adaptive approach, which is designed to respond flexibly to evolving conflict dynamics.
The forum concluded with a Project Fair, allowing stakeholders to engage with beneficiaries and implementing partners, showcasing the tangible peace dividends delivered to communities in Benue, Kaduna, Katsina, and Plateau States.
The SPRiNG Programme, a four-year initiative (2024–2028), is implemented by Tetra Tech International Development in collaboration with Nextier SPD, the Centre for Democracy and Development, and the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, aimed at fostering sustainable peace and institutional resilience across Nigeria.
