See Reasons British High Commission Installed a London Phone Booth at Lagos Airport
The British High Commission has set up a replica of the iconic London phone booth at Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2) in Lagos, marking the launch of its ‘JollofandTea’ campaign.
Ms. Aseosa Uwagboe, the Commission’s Head of Communications, explained to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the campaign aims to strengthen cultural and creative ties between the United Kingdom and Nigeria. The initiative features the installation of classic British phone booths designed to highlight the diverse connections between the two countries, spanning art, fashion, education, transport, and sports.
More Phone Booths Coming to Lagos and Abuja
Uwagboe shared that additional phone booths will be unveiled at popular locations in Lagos and Abuja in the coming months. “We are thrilled to launch the first phone booth for JollofandTea today. This campaign is all about celebrating the bonds between the UK and Nigeria, from education to transport,” she said. “We are grateful to the airport for collaborating with us, and we encourage everyone to visit these booths in Lagos and Abuja.”
The designs on the booths reflect key cultural and transport symbols from both nations. Uwagboe elaborated: “We want people to engage with the booths and enjoy the experience. If you look closely, you’ll see iconic elements like the Third Mainland Bridge and the London Underground, representing the shared connections between our countries.”
She also encouraged visitors to take photos and share them on social media with the hashtag #JollofandTea, while following the UK in Nigeria’s social media pages.
A Partnership with Bi-Courtney
Mr. Remi Jibodu, Acting Chief Operating Officer of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services, spoke about the significance of the collaboration with MMA2. He noted that the installation is an opportunity to showcase the historic relationship between the UK and Nigeria. He added that the positioning of the booth at MMA2 is strategic, as the airport attracts a diverse mix of travelers. “This collaboration is an exciting opportunity for us to share both countries’ cultures with passengers, making MMA2 more than just a terminal,” Jibodu remarked.
Campaign Launch and Vision
The ‘JollofandTea’ campaign was officially launched on November 4 by British Deputy High Commissioner Jonny Baxter. Baxter emphasized that the initiative is designed to highlight the growing partnership between the UK and Nigeria, with a special focus on the creative industries. He also mentioned that the campaign aims to foster a deeper understanding of the ongoing connections between the two nations and further strengthen their people-to-people ties.