Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Correspondence with the Minister for Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean relating to the Government’s response to the Committee’s Report: Lagos calling: Nigeria and the Integrated Review dated 25/07/2022 and 12/07/2022, published by the Foreign Affairs Select Committee on 7 September 2022, what plans his Department has to engage the Nigerian diaspora in the UK in conversations about peacebuilding and security initiatives in Nigeria in autumn (a) 2022 and (b) 2023.

Given the dynamic and localised nature of Nigeria's security situation, FCDO focuses its outreach on peacebuilding and security initiatives on Nigerians who live in Nigeria and have first-hand, current experience of the complex and nuanced situation on the ground. We prioritise bringing direct participants in the peacebuilding process to the table, to help bring a swifter resolution to the conflicts affecting their communities.

FCDO officials also engage diaspora involved in peacebuilding in Nigeria, and value and learn from their knowledge of the political and security landscape of the country. Officials also regularly respond to correspondence from members of the diaspora. This routine engagement will continue, and we are considering options for widening our outreach in the UK in Autumn 2022 and 2023.