UK Appoints New Deputy High Commissioner

The United Kingdom Government has appointed Ms Vicky Seymour as its new Deputy High Commissioner in Abuja, succeeding Mrs Gill Lever OBE, who completed her diplomatic posting in June 2026. The appointment marks another step in strengthening the long-standing relationship between both countries through enhanced UK-Nigeria relations.

According to an official statement released on Thursday, Seymour has already assumed her duties in Abuja and will support cooperation between the United Kingdom and Nigeria in key areas, including economic growth, security, migration, international development, global cooperation, and people-to-people partnerships.

The new Deputy High Commissioner brings more than 20 years of experience in diplomacy, international development, and public service. Before taking up her latest role, she served as Head of the East Africa Department at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) from 2023. She also previously headed the FCDO’s Trade Diplomacy Department and served as Development Director in Mozambique.

Her diplomatic career has included senior leadership positions across several African countries, including Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as assignments in Afghanistan. She has also worked extensively on climate policy, economic development, and security issues. Before joining the UK civil service, Seymour worked in the non-profit sector, focusing on migration-related programmes.

Speaking after her appointment, Seymour expressed enthusiasm about her new assignment. She said, “I am delighted to be taking up the role of Deputy High Commissioner in Abuja. I look forward to getting to know this extraordinary country, meeting people from across Nigeria’s diverse communities, and building on the strong partnership that already exists between our two countries. Together, I hope we can continue creating opportunities for greater collaboration and links between our people in the years ahead.”

What areas of UK-Nigeria relations do you think should receive greater attention in the coming years?