UK Appoints New Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeri

Ms Vicky Seymour has been appointed as the new Deputy High Commissioner in Abuja. This represents a new chapter in the UK’s diplomatic engagement with Nigeria.

Seymour takes over from Mrs Gill Lever OBE who finished her posting in June 2026.

She has now taken up her post and will work to strengthen the long-standing partnership between the United Kingdom and Nigeria in areas including economic growth, security, migration, development, international cooperation and people-to-people relations.”

This was made known in a statement released by the British High Commission in Abuja.

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The UK Government says “Seymour is bringing more than two decades of experience in diplomacy, international development and public service to her new role.”

It further noted that prior to her appointment, she served as Head of the East Africa Department at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), a position she held since 2023.

She was previously Head of the FCDO’s Trade Diplomacy Department and Development Director in Mozambique. Her career has also included senior leadership assignments in Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Afghanistan, with expertise across climate, security and economic development.

Before joining the UK civil service she worked on migration in the non-profit sector.

Seymour said of her appointment: “I look forward to taking our relations to the next level.

I am very happy to be taking up the position of Deputy High Commissioner in Abuja. “I look forward to exploring this extraordinary country, to meeting people from all of Nigeria’s many communities and to building on the strong partnership that exists between our two countries,” she said.

“I hope that together we can continue to create opportunities for greater collaboration and links between our people in the years ahead,” said Seymour.

The appointment comes as the UK and Nigeria continue to deepen co-operation in trade, investment, security, education, development, climate action and migration – reflecting the broad scope of the bilateral relationship.

Seymour will work closely with Nigerian government officials, the private sector, civil society organizations and other stakeholders to further strengthen diplomatic and economic ties between both countries.