Dr. Richard Montgomery CMG has been named the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, as announced by Atinuke Akande-Alegbe, the Senior Communications & Public Diplomacy Officer at the British High Commission.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the newly appointed High Commissioner presented his credentials to President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House in Abuja on Thursday.
Dr. Montgomery succeeds Ms. Catriona Laing CB, who recently concluded her four-year tenure as the High Commissioner in Abuja.
With extensive diplomatic experience, including previous service in Nigeria, Richard is geared up for his new role.
Before assuming his post as the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard served as the UK Executive Director at the World Bank Group Board in Washington DC, USA, from 2018 to 2022.
Additionally, he held various significant positions in the Department of International Development (DFID), including Director for Asia, Caribbean & Overseas Territories Division, Country Director for Pakistan, and previously, Country Director in Nigeria from 2009 to 2013.
Richard’s professional background also includes his tenure as Deputy Director for Corporate Human Resources and Deputy Head in DFID’s Top Management Group. He gained valuable experience early in his career through postings at British High Commissions in Zambia, Bangladesh, and India.
In a statement, Richard expressed his enthusiasm upon returning to Nigeria, saying, “It’s great to be back in Nigeria. I look forward to collaborating with the people of this remarkable country, including those in the government, private sector, and civil society, to contribute my best efforts in building a more prosperous Nigeria and strengthening the partnership between our nations.”
Richard is happily married to Naheed, and together they have two children.
