Nigeria Looks to a New Chapter in UK Relations

Just weeks after presenting his Letters of Credence to His Majesty King Charles III at St James’s Palace, Nigeria’s new High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, His Excellency Mr Amin Dalhatu, has already embarked on a whirlwind introduction to diplomatic life in London.

Since arriving in early April, his diary has reflected both the pace and significance of the Nigeria-UK relationship. Alongside meetings with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and fellow members of the Diplomatic Corps, he has attended national ceremonial occasions including Trooping the Colour, met Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street, and was invited by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales to Buckingham Palace to discuss opportunities for engaging Britain’s vibrant Nigerian diaspora.

“It has been a really busy time for me,” he reflects. “I’m happy that I’m settling down well and it’s been a promising start.”

For the High Commissioner, however, the ceremonial engagements are only the beginning. His appointment comes at a time when Nigeria is seeking to strengthen economic ties with one of its oldest international partners while reinforcing its leadership role across Africa and on the global stage.

Family values have long shaped Dalhatu’s approach to public service. Raised in a household where the rule of law was central to everyday life, diplomacy, he believes, came naturally. “My father was a judge, and some of my siblings are in the judiciary,” he explains. “So I grew up in an environment of respecting the law, and respecting other peoples’ rights.”

Those principles have guided a diplomatic career that has taken him across to Asia before bringing him to London. A memorable overseas posting was his tenure as Ambassador to the Republic of Korea (2017-21), a country whose remarkable economic transformation left a lasting impression.

Nigeria established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Korea in 1982, and during his posting there, High Commissioner Dalhatu learned of the extraordinary progress the country achieved within a short time. “I was amazed to learn about the levels of development that occurred,” he says. “And even more amazed to know how much development took place within just one generation since the Korean War.”

He points to Korea’s post-war investment in education, healthcare and skills as the foundations of its success, describing it as “one of the top healthcare countries in the world.” He continues: “They set a high standard for themselves, and to a large extent they achieved that.”

Reflecting on his posting, he adds warmly: “It was a very nice country to live in, very peaceful, and the people were courteous by their own nature and traditions. I came away with good memories.”

That experience now informs his ambitions for his new posting in the UK, where economic diplomacy sits firmly at the top of his agenda. “Our plans are simple, but our goals are high,” he says.

The High Commissioner believes there is considerable untapped potential in the bilateral economic relationship. “I am disappointed that bilateral trade between Nigeria and the UK currently stands at around just £8 billion. Given the depth and longevity of our relationship, I believe it should be significantly higher.”

He is under no illusion about the scale of the task. “I have my work cut out for me,” he says. “I am determined to increase the volume to double figures (in billions) before I leave. It is achievable, but it will not be easy.”

Trade, however, is only one dimension of an increasingly broad bilateral partnership. High Commissioner Dalhatu describes Nigeria’s relationship with the UK as “excellent,” pointing to decades of cooperation in education, defence and development, as well as Britain’s long-standing support through institutions such as the British Council.

More recently, security cooperation has become an increasingly important pillar of the partnership. During a recent visit to Abuja by a UK delegation led by National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell, discussions focused on expanding collaboration in counter-terrorism, maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, intelligence sharing and tackling wider regional security challenges. “They saw first-hand that there is indeed a need for them to do more to help us overcome these difficulties,” Dalhatu says.

He also revealed that during the Foreign Secretary’s recent Summer Reception he personally extended an invitation for her to visit Nigeria. “She promised she would,” he says with evident optimism. “This is the ambience in which I arrived, so I’m very confident that I will leave this place in a stronger position than I found it.”

Beyond government-to-government engagement, High Commissioner Dalhatu observes that cultural diplomacy is one of Nigeria’s greatest diplomatic assets. Nigeria’s global cultural influence has expanded dramatically in recent years, driven by internationally acclaimed musicians, filmmakers and artists, supported by one of the largest African diasporas in the UK. “We are exporting our culture and history, making people more aware,” he says. “Our musicians and other artists are becoming more known globally, especially here in the UK.”

He points to the international success of Afrobeats and its exposure at the World Cup this summer as one example of Nigeria’s growing soft power, alongside the widely acclaimed Nigerian Modernism exhibition at Tate Modern, also visited by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his recent State Visit to the UK. “We are employing cultural diplomacy to enhance relationships where we can,” he says.

While cultural influence continues to grow, Nigeria also remains one of Africa’s leading diplomatic actors. As the continent’s most populous nation, the country has long played a central role in regional peacekeeping, mediation and international diplomacy.

“We have good relationships with all our African countries,” High Commissioner Dalhatu explains. “That’s not by accident; it’s a deliberate policy.”

He notes that Nigeria maintains diplomatic missions across the African continent and continues to pursue a foreign policy based on partnership rather than coercion. “We don’t force our will on anyone; we work through persuasion.”

Recalling Nigeria’s peacekeeping contributions in Sierra Leone and Liberia, he says those commitments demonstrate the country’s long-standing determination to promote stability across the continent. “Nigeria works closely with countries across Africa, and we will continue to strengthen those partnerships. This will remain central to our foreign policy.”

That international outlook also underpins Nigeria’s support for reform of the United Nations Security Council. High Commissioner Dalhatu argues that meaningful reform must better reflect today’s geopolitical realities and give Africa permanent representation. “Africa currently has no permanent seat,” he notes. “Of course, there are other African countries also interested, but we believe that Nigeria’s prospects are brighter.”

Despite increasingly complex global politics, the High Commissioner believes Nigeria’s diplomatic approach remains rooted in dialogue, mutual respect and non-interference. “We are friends with all countries,” he says. “We don’t have any country that we have disagreements with. We live with our neighbours in peace and harmony.”

Asked to reflect on the defining moment of his diplomatic career, his answer is immediate: “When I met His Majesty.” Recalling the audience following the presentation of his credentials, he describes King Charles III as “a man of great knowledge.” Their conversation touched on the King’s previous visit to Nigeria, leaving a lasting impression on the High Commissioner.

Away from official duties, High Commissioner Dalhatu admits his sporting pursuits have become more limited. “I used to be very active, playing golf and horse riding,” he says. “But less so, these days.” Instead, his greatest pleasure is a quieter one. “I am a book man, and I read a lot. That, and of course, intellectual companionship.”

For a diplomat tasked with expanding one of Africa’s most significant bilateral relationships, those qualities of curiosity, reflection and dialogue may prove every bit as valuable as the busy schedule that has greeted him since arriving in London.