The United Kingdom Government has appointed Vicky Seymour as its new Deputy High Commissioner in Abuja, replacing Gill Lever OBE, who concluded her diplomatic assignment in Nigeria in June 2026.
The announcement was made in a statement issued on Thursday, confirming that Seymour has officially assumed her role and will help deepen the longstanding relationship between the United Kingdom and Nigeria.
According to the statement, her responsibilities will include advancing cooperation between both countries in key areas such as economic growth, security, migration, international development, global partnerships, and people-to-people exchanges.
Seymour brings more than two decades of experience in diplomacy, international development, and public service to her new position.
Before taking up the Abuja posting, she served as Head of the East Africa Department at the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), a role she assumed in 2023. She also previously headed the FCDO’s Trade Diplomacy Department and served as Development Director in Mozambique.
Her diplomatic career spans several countries, with senior leadership roles in Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Afghanistan. She has also worked extensively on issues relating to climate change, economic development, and security.
Prior to joining the UK civil service, Seymour worked in the non-profit sector, where she focused on migration-related programmes.
Reacting to her appointment, Seymour expressed enthusiasm about beginning her assignment in Nigeria and reaffirmed her commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.
“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,” she said.
Her appointment comes as the United Kingdom and Nigeria continue to expand cooperation across trade, security, development, and diplomatic engagement.
