The British High Commission in Abuja has unveiled two flagship economic reform initiatives.
The Nigeria Economic Stability & Transformation (NEST) programme and the Nigeria Public Finance Facility (NPFF), reaffirming the United Kingdom’s long-term commitment to supporting Nigeria’s economic reform and growth agenda.
Backed by a £12.4 million investment, the NEST and NPFF programmes aimed to strengthen Nigeria’s macroeconomic stability, enhance fiscal resilience, and foster a more competitive environment for investment and private-sector development.
Together, the programmes formed a central pillar of the UK-Nigeria mutual growth partnership, reflecting both countries’ shared commitment to sustainable economic growth.
Speaking at the launch, Cynthia Rowe, Head of Development Cooperation at the British High Commission in Abuja, said, “These two programmes sit at the heart of our economic development cooperation with Nigeria.
”They reflect a shared commitment to strengthening the fundamentals that matter most for our stability, confidence, and long-term growth.”
The launch coincided with the inaugural meeting of the Joint UK-Nigeria Steering Committee, which endorsed the approach of both programmes and confirmed strong alignment between the UK and Nigeria on priority areas for delivery.
Representing the Nigerian government, Sanyade Okoli, Special Adviser to the President on Finance and the Economy, welcomed the collaboration, describing it as a “strong demonstration of our shared commitment to Nigeria’s economic stability and long-term prosperity.”
Okoli added that the partnership would provide critical technical support at a time when Nigeria is implementing reforms to improve fiscal resilience, stabilize the economy, and promote inclusive growth.
Jonny Baxter, the British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, highlighted the broader significance of the programmes within the UK-Nigeria mutual growth partnership.
He said, “NEST and NPFF are central to our shared approach to strengthening the foundations that underpin long-term economic prosperity.”
The launch was attended by senior officials from key Nigerian institutions, including the Federal Ministry of Finance, Central Bank of Nigeria, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Debt Management Office, and the Budget Office of the Federation, as well as representatives from international development partners.
The programmes are expected to provide both technical assistance and policy support, positioning Nigeria for sustained economic stability and growth while creating opportunities for private-sector investment and inclusive development across the country.
