After the launch event in Lagos, the British Council conducted a commemoration event at its Abuja office on December 9, 2024, to continue celebrating its 80th anniversary in Nigeria.In order to commemorate eight decades of significant contributions to Nigeria’s educational and cultural scene, the event gathered together partners, stakeholders, and notable visitors.
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The event, which had as its subject “Amplifying the Voices of the Future,” emphasised the organization’s steadfast dedication to promoting significant change and creating enduring relationships. Richard Montgomery, the UK High Commissioner to Nigeria, highlighted the transformative possibilities of the newly agreed co-production agreement between the two countries in his welcome address.
“The co-production agreement is expected to increase investments across key sectors, including trade, agriculture, technology, and the creative economy, create jobs, and catalyse mutual economic growth,” he said. Montgomery lauded Nigeria’s emerging soft power on the international scene and emphasised the impact of its cultural exports, especially Afrobeats music. The British Council’s Acting Country Director, Chilufya Besa, reiterated these views and emphasised the significance of empowering Nigeria’s youth, who make up about 70% of the country’s population under 30.
“Amplifying the Voices of the Future,’ our 80th anniversary theme, highlights our dedication to promoting inclusivity, developing capacity, and granting access to international professional development opportunities,” he said. Besa’s speech, which was given on his behalf by British Council Nigeria’s Director of Programs and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chikodi Onyemerela, reaffirmed the organization’s function as a driving force behind the development of opportunities and trust in the fields of education and the arts.
The occasion highlighted the long-standing collaboration between the United Kingdom and Nigeria, which dates back to 1944, when the British Council opened its first library office in Lagos. This partnership has strengthened educational relations and given young Nigerians the chance to succeed on a global scale by supporting projects like exchange programs between Nigerian and UK universities over the years.
“This co-production agreement will enable professionals in the film industries of both countries to create content for domestic and international audiences,” Montgomery continued, discussing the partnership’s wider ramifications. It is an important step towards fortifying our countries’ economic ties with one another. The British Council’s commitment to empowering young Nigerians and elevating their voices for a better future was demonstrated by the anniversary celebration.
The organisation reiterates its dedication to establishing meaningful collaborations, promoting educational opportunities, and fortifying cultural linkages between the UK and Nigeria as it starts its next phase.
