Lord Goldsmith of Richmon Park — The UK Government is committed to working with Nigeria to respond to the causes and consequences of conflict in Nigeria. At our recent Security and Defence Dialogue, we committed to working together to respond to shared threats, support efforts to respond to rising insecurity in Nigeria and promote human rights for all Nigerians. During the Dialogue, the Minister for Africa discussed insecurity with National Security Advisor Monguno. In addition, during her recent visit to Nigeria, she held detailed discussions with regional governors and community and religious leaders about the deteriorating security situation across the country and how the UK Government can support the response. In North-East Nigeria, we have provided £425 million of humanitarian support since 2017, which has supported up to 1.5 million people. Through our regional Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) Lake Chad Basin programme we are also: working with the Nigerian military in support of efforts to respond to the conflict with terrorist groups; supporting stabilisation efforts with local communities and supporting wider security sector reform. In addition to our work in the North-East, we are also working with communities in the Middle Belt to help better respond to and manage the effects of violent conflict including supporting the reintegration of victims of conflict and survivors of sexual violence. We continue to make clear to the Nigerian authorities, at the highest levels, the importance of protecting civilians and taking action to implement long-term solutions that address the root causes of violence.

Elections in Nigeria are a flashpoint for violence and conflict. It is thus not a surprise to see Nigeria scoring low on Freedom House’s index, indicating that the country is ‘partly free.’ The Presidential elections in 2019 were particularly troubling, with Freedom House concluding it was “…marred by irregularities.” In response, the UK Government has welcomed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, signed on 25th February, which will “…help contribute to free, credible and peaceful elections in Nigeria.” PSJ UK also welcomes this Bill in the hope it will achieve its objectives, although we recognise that these issues are too deep-seated and widespread to be tackled by one Bill.

Mark Spencer Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons The Hon. Gentleman is right to draw the House’s attention to the situation in Nigeria. I know that many Members on both sides of the House are concerned about religious persecution, and call it out on a regular basis. I think that it is worthy of debate and that such a debate would be popular in the House. The hon. Gentlemen will have another opportunity to ask about the issue during Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office questions on 26 April, but I think that applying for a debate in the meantime is the right thing to do.

Vicky Ford MP — Increasing insecurity across Nigeria is having a devastating impact on affected communities. We welcome views from both organisations and representatives of the Nigerian diaspora in the UK, including on peace-building efforts in Nigeria and the wider region. I [Minister Ford] regularly respond to correspondence from MPs on behalf of constituents who are members of the diaspora, and my officials regularly respond to letters sent directly by members of the diaspora or diaspora organisations.

The principal causes of violence across Nigeria are complex and include violent extremism in the North East, and criminality and competition over resources elsewhere in Nigeria. At the first dialogue of our Security and Defence Partnership in February, the UK and Nigerian Governments committed to work together to respond to rising insecurity across Nigeria and promote human rights. We will continue to encourage the Nigerian Government to take urgent action to implement long-term solutions that address the root causes of violence.

LORD GOLDSMITH OF RICHMOND PARK — The UK remains committed to supporting the democratic process in Nigeria, and we continue to stress the importance of free and fair elections ahead of the 2023 presidential race. We warmly welcome the signing of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law on 25 February. We assess that this will help contribute to free, credible and peaceful elections in Nigeria. The UK continues to work with civil society and the Independent National Electoral Commission to strengthen the integrity of elections in Nigeria. On 21 February the Minister for Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Vicky Ford MP, met with officials from the Nigerian Independent National Electoral Commission to discuss the vital role a strong and independent electoral commission will play in delivering credible and transparent 2023 elections. Minister Ford also raised elections with the Vice President during her visit and expressed the UK Government’s wish to see a strong legal framework in place well ahead of elections.

LORD GOLDSMITH OF RICHMOND PARK

– The UK Government is concerned about rising insecurity across Nigeria and we condemn all incidents of intercommunal violence, including in the Middle Belt. This violence has a devastating impact on both Christian and Muslim communities. While religious identity is a factor in some incidents of inter-communal violence, we assess that the root causes of violence in the Middle Belt frequently relate to resource competition and criminality, as well as historical and ongoing inter-communal grievances. Officials at our High Commission in Abuja met officials from the Niger State Government on 23 February to discuss a range of security matters, including the attacks in Shiroro. We regularly raise insecurity and human rights in Nigeria with the Nigerian Government. The Minister for Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean raised rising insecurity and its impact on the Nigerian people with the Vice President, Foreign Minister and several State Governors during her recent visit to Nigeria. She also met faith leaders, civil society and international organisations working in states affected by violence. Earlier this month, at the inaugural dialogue of the UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership, the Minister for Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean also held productive discussions with the Nigerian National Security Adviser on the complexity of Nigeria’s security situation. At the dialogue, the UK and Nigeria agreed on areas of future cooperation to respond to shared threats, and on our support to Nigeria to tackle a range of security challenges. We continue to make clear to the Nigerian authorities at the highest levels the importance of protecting civilians, including ethnic and religious minorities, and human rights for all.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond ParkThe Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) The UK Government is concerned by insecurity across Nigeria; this violence is having a devastating impact on affected communities of all faiths and ethnicities. We assess that the principal causes of violence are complex and multifaceted and are often linked to criminality and competition over resources. We continue to urge and support the Nigerian Government to take action to implement long-term solutions that address the root causes of violence and ensure the right to Freedom of Religion or Belief for all. The Minister for Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean regularly raises insecurity in Nigeria with the Nigerian Government, including during her visit to Nigeria in February, where she discussed this issue with Foreign Minister Onyeama. During her visit, the Minister held detailed discussions with regional governors, community leaders and religious leaders about the causes of violence. Additionally, on 1 February, the Minister also discussed insecurity with Nigerian National Security Adviser Monguno during the inaugural dialogue of the UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership. We will continue to make clear to the Nigerian authorities at the highest levels the importance of protecting civilians, including ethnic and religious minorities, and human rights for all.