The United Kingdom has appointed veteran diplomat Peter Vowles as its new High Commissioner to Nigeria, succeeding Richard Montgomery.
The appointment was announced by the UK government on Monday.
Vowles, who currently serves as the UK Ambassador to Zimbabwe, is expected to take up his new role in September.
Before his latest appointment, Vowles held several senior positions within the former Department for International Development, which is now part of the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
His career has seen him work across a number of African countries, including Kenya and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
He has also served as a governance and security adviser in Afghanistan and worked as a World Bank health adviser in Bangladesh.
Vowles began his professional career in Zimbabwe, where he was involved in education and development programmes.
Reacting to the appointment, the diplomat described it as a privilege and pledged to deepen relations between both countries.
“I am honoured to be appointed as British High Commissioner to Nigeria,” he said.
“Nigeria is a country of immense importance to the United Kingdom, and I look forward to working closely with Nigerian partners to strengthen our relationship across trade, development and security.”
His appointment comes as the UK continues to expand cooperation with Nigeria in areas including economic development, investment, security and governance.
Vowles will formally assume office in September, ending Richard Montgomery’s tenure as Britain’s top representative in Nigeria, a position he has held since 2023.
