To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when HM Ambassador to Nigeria last met (a) the President and (b) the Vice President of that country. (311651)

Our high commissioner to Nigeria last met President Yar’Adua on 5 November 2009, during the visit of my noble Friend Baroness Kinnock, the Minister of State for Africa, to Nigeria. He last met Vice President Goodluck Jonathan on 30 December 2009.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of UK relations with Nigeria, with particular reference to recent developments in that country. (311652)

The UK continues to have a strong bilateral relationship with Nigeria as one of our key partners in Africa, and remains in frequent dialogue with the Government of Nigeria at all levels. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary spoke to his Nigerian counterpart on 8 January 2010,and Baroness Kinnock, the Minister of State for Africa co-hosted an event for the Nigerian diaspora in the UK on 20 January 2010.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has had recent discussions with the President or Vice President of Nigeria; what reports his Department has received on the state of health of the President; whether he is taking steps to encourage the Nigerian government and military to adhere to the Nigerian Constitution; and if he will make a statement. (311653)

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not had recent discussions with the President or Vice President of Nigeria. However he last spoke to Foreign Minister Maduekwe on 8 January 2010. During their conversation my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary expressed his concern for the health of President Yar’Adua, passed on his good wishes for the President's speedy recovery, and reiterated the UK's support for the Nigerian Government's determination to act in accordance with the Nigerian constitution.