The British High Commissioner, Dr. Richard Montgomery, has concluded his visits to Lagos and Ogun States, underscoring the United Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and supporting development initiatives in these key regions.
During the four-day visit, the High Commissioner met with Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, engaging in discussions focused on enhancing economic ties, driving investments, prosperity opportunities and future priorities that could be beneficial to the states and the UK.
A key highlight of the visit to Ogun State was the announcement by UK company, Hinckley Recycling, that they are establishing a new battery recycling facility in the state, using UK-patented technology. Hinckley’s $5m investment will create Africa’s first lithium-ion and lead acid battery recycling and treatment plant.
In Lagos, Dr. Montgomery met with Chief Emeka Anyaoku, and some business leaders in Nigeria including the CEOs of Airtel Nigeria, Standard Chartered, Nigeria Helios Investment Partners, Afrinvest and KPMG West Africa.
At the end of the visit, the British High Commissioner, Dr. Richard Montgomery, said:
“My visit to Lagos and Ogun States has reinforced the strong ties between our two great countries.
“Both states are key to boosting Nigeria’s economic prosperity and the UK is committed to driving that growth, promoting trade and supporting their developments.”
On the $5 million investment to establish Nigeria’s first battery recycling facility in Ogun State, he said:
“It is fantastic that Hinckley Recycling is establishing the first lithium-ion and lead-acid battery recycling facility in Nigeria, creating a new high-value export industry in Ogun State and 100 new direct jobs. Congratulations to the Commissioners and to OgunInvest who worked with Hinckley to make this ground-breaking project a reality.
“The UK fully supports His Excellency Governor Abiodun’s mission to bring new investment and new jobs into Ogun State. The UK Government’s development finance bank British International Investment invested $15 million into Valency International in Ogun State last year, and the UK’s Manufacturing Africa programme is supporting four other companies in Ogun to raise capital and expand their production facilities.”
