The British High Commissioner-designate to Nigeria, Pete Vowles, has arrived in Abuja to assume his new role as head of the United Kingdom’s diplomatic mission in Nigeria.
This was contained in a statement by the British High Commission in Abuja, Nigeria.
Vowles succeeds Dr Richard Montgomery, CMG, who previously served as the United Kingdom’s High Commissioner to Nigeria.
Speaking on his arrival, the new High Commissioner-designate expressed enthusiasm about beginning his assignment, saying his immediate priority would be to understand Nigeria and deepen the relationship between both countries.
“I am hugely excited to be in Nigeria. My first priority is to listen and learn – to travel, meet people and immerse myself in this extraordinary country, its culture and its energy,” he said.
He described the relationship between the UK and Nigeria as a deep and enduring partnership, noting that the ties between the peoples of both countries remained at the heart of bilateral relations.
“The UK and Nigeria have a deep and enduring partnership, built above all on the connections between our people,” he said.
Vowles said that he looked forward to engaging with partners across Nigeria and exploring opportunities to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
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“I’m looking forward to discovering Nigeria for myself and working with partners across the country to build on that relationship and see what more we can achieve together,” he said
The diplomat brings extensive experience in diplomacy and international development to his new assignment.
Before his appointment to Nigeria, he served as His Majesty’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe.
He has also held several senior leadership positions within the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and previously served as Ambassador to Myanmar.
Vowles has had diplomatic and development postings across Africa and Asia, including in Bangladesh, India, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya.
His appointment as the next British High Commissioner to the Federal Republic of Nigeria was announced by the UK Government on June 16, 2026.
His arrival comes as the UK and Nigeria continue to strengthen their longstanding bilateral partnership across diplomatic, economic, development and people-to-people ties.
