President Bola Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s commitment to strengthening ties between Nigeria and the UK, as he received a British delegation at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday to mark 90 years of British Airways operations in the country.

“We celebrate your remarkable 90 years of operation in Nigeria and look forward to a stronger and more rewarding partnership,” the president said.

The delegation included the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, and the airline’s commercial officer, Colm Lacy.

Mr Tinubu said Nigeria’s aviation sector is undergoing reforms aimed at meeting global standards and boosting trade and international partnerships.

“Nigeria is still going through reforms and transformation of our aviation industry and every aspect of our economy. We must meet global standards and encourage connectivity while promoting trade and partnership,” he said.

He also highlighted the Central Bank of Nigeria’s efforts to clear outstanding liabilities, ensuring the prompt payment of debts owed to international airlines, and restoring confidence in the aviation sector.

Mr Lacy said British Airways values its Nigerian customers, describing the country as one of its most profitable markets since it began operations there in 1936, ferrying passengers for family, business and academic purposes.

“Nigeria is not simply a destination but a long-standing, valued market with which we share deep people-to-people and commercial ties,” he said.

He also thanked aviation minister Festus Keyamo, as well as the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, for their support.

Mr Keyamo commended British Airways for upgrading its fleet on Nigerian routes and for complying with the federal government’s policy requiring Nigerian delicacies to be served on outbound flights.