The British Deputy High Commissioner in Nigeria, Gill Lever, has assured Nigerians that the United Kingdom will not interfere in the conduct of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

Lever made the statement during a courtesy visit to AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Governor of Kwara State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, at the Government House in Ilorin.

Speaking during her three-day official visit to the state, the British envoy stated that the UK government had no preferred political party ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to her, the British government’s priority is to support peaceful, inclusive, and credible elections in Nigeria.

“The British Government is entirely neutral. We do not favour one party or another, and we would never be in the business of telling Nigerian people how to vote,” Lever said.

She added that peaceful and transparent elections were important not only for democracy but also for economic growth and stability.

“We all want to see elections that are peaceful, inclusive, and credible, with respect for institutions and participation by the people,” she noted.

Lever also praised Governor AbdulRazaq for promoting gender inclusion in governance, describing Kwara State as a model for gender equity in Nigeria.

She commended the governor for appointing women to more than 50 per cent of cabinet positions and supporting increased female participation in politics.

“Kwara under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has become a trailblazer for women’s rights and political participation,” she said.

The British envoy further disclosed that the UK government was partnering with states across Nigeria to improve digital access and technology skills among young people.

She revealed that the delegation visited the Ilorin Innovation Hub to assess the impact of UK-supported digital programmes aimed at creating employment opportunities in the tech sector.

According to her, a recently launched community hub in Olayinka community in Ifelodun Local Government Area is expected to provide digital access and technology training to more than 50,000 residents.

Responding, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq highlighted achievements of his administration since assuming office in 2019.

He said the state had recorded improvements in healthcare, education, agriculture, and infrastructure, while also clearing salary arrears and pension backlogs inherited by the administration.

The governor disclosed that the state government plans to increase the minimum wage to ₦100,000 later this year.

AbdulRazaq also noted that the government had expanded access to university education through the completion of additional campuses of Kwara State University and was working toward establishing five teaching hospitals across the state before the end of his tenure in 2027.

On agriculture, he said the administration was supporting farming activities in line with the policies of President Bola Tinubu and had established a Shea processing factory in Kaiama, expected to become the second largest in Nigeria when operational.