The United Kingdom has appointed Ms. Vicky Seymour as its new Deputy High Commissioner in Abuja, replacing Mrs. Gill Lever OBE, whose posting ended in June 2026.
The announcement was made in a statement issued by Onyinye Madu of the British High Commission’s Communications Office.
Ms. Seymour has officially assumed office in Abuja, where she will help strengthen the long-standing partnership between the UK and Nigeria. Her responsibilities will cover key areas such as economic growth, security, migration, development, international cooperation and people-to-people relations.
She brings more than 20 years of experience in diplomacy, international development and public service.
Before her appointment, Seymour served as Head of the East Africa Department at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), a position she held from 2023. She previously led the FCDO’s Trade Diplomacy Department and also worked as Development Director in Mozambique.
Her career has included senior leadership roles in several African countries, including Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique. She has also worked in Afghanistan and held positions focused on climate change, security and economic development. Before joining the UK civil service, she worked in the non-profit sector with a focus on migration.
Speaking on her appointment, Seymour said she was excited about her new role and looked forward to strengthening ties between both countries.
“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 stronger links between our people in the years ahead,” she said.
