British envoy commends Tinubu’s economic reforms, says impact already visible

Richard Montgomery, the British high commissioner to Nigeria, has commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its ongoing economic reforms.

Speaking on Thursday at the international civil service conference held at Eagle Square in Abuja, Montgomery said the reforms were already showing signs of impact despite short-term difficulties.

He commended the federal government for the courage to initiate policies aimed at long-term economic growth.

The British envoy noted that while the reforms may be difficult for citizens in the immediate term, they are critical for repositioning Nigeria on a more sustainable development path.

“In my two years here as high commissioner, I have been so impressed by the courage of Nigerian leaders to tackle difficult issues and launch the big and bold economic reforms now underway, however painful they may be in the short term,” Montgomery said.

“I am very confident that these reforms, which are already showing an impact, are absolutely essential for putting Nigeria onto a higher growth path and for creating the jobs and opportunities that I know, Your Excellency, you are seeking for your country.”

The British envoy acknowledged that while economic reforms alone cannot solve all institutional challenges, they form a crucial foundation for building a stronger economy.

He said civil servants at federal and state levels must play a central role in ensuring that the intended benefits of the reforms are delivered to citizens.

“And of course, these reforms are not a solution to all the challenges that the civil servants — my fellow public servants in this room — are tasked with managing on a day-to-day basis across the huge responsibilities of the federal and state governments,” Montgomery said.

“But I have no doubt that civil servants at all levels are absolutely essential at putting those reforms and the benefits of those reforms into practice.”

He noted the importance of public sector efficiency in achieving reform goals, stating that civil service performance and integrity remain essential to long-term governance improvements.

Montgomery cited the economic trajectories of countries like India, China and Singapore as examples for Nigeria to learn from.

The federal government has introduced a series of policy reforms since taking office in May 2023, including the removal of petrol subsidies, unification of foreign exchange rates, and measures to attract foreign investment.

While these steps have been praised by international institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, they have also sparked widespread domestic criticism due to rising inflation and increased cost of living.

Despite these challenges, Montgomery expressed optimism that Nigeria’s current economic direction will yield long-term dividends, particularly in job creation and investment inflow, if effectively managed.

The civil service conference brought together top government officials, development partners, and members of the diplomatic corps to discuss public sector reforms, institutional capacity, and the future of governance in Nigeria.