Dr. Richard Montgomery has officially assumed his role as the new British High Commissioner to Nigeria, succeeding Ms. Catriona Laing.
According to a statement by the British High Commission, Montgomery presented his credentials to President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House in Abuja on Thursday.
As Laing concludes her four-year tenure in the country, Montgomery steps into the position with a wealth of diplomatic experience, including previous work in Nigeria.
In the statement, it is mentioned that the new High Commissioner has an extensive background in diplomacy and has served in various parts of the world.
Before taking up the role of the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Montgomery served as the UK Executive Director at the World Bank Group Board in Washington DC, USA, from 2018 to 2022.
He also held several high-ranking positions within the Department of International Development (DFID).
Montgomery’s impressive career in DFID included being the Director for Asia, Caribbean & Overseas Territories Division, Country Director for Pakistan, and previously the Country Director in Nigeria from 2009 to 2013.
In addition, he held key positions such as Deputy Director for Corporate Human Resources and Deputy Head in DFID’s Top Management Group.
Notably, he has also served in British High Commissions in Zambia, Bangladesh, and India earlier in his career.
Dr. Montgomery, accompanied by his wife Naheed and their two children, expressed excitement about their return to Nigeria, stating, “It’s great to be back in Nigeria. I look forward to working with the people of this great country, including those in government, in the private sector, and in civil society, to do all I can to help build a more prosperous Nigeria and strengthen the partnership between our countries.”
