The United Kingdom has appointed Richard Hugh Montgomery as the new High Commissioner to Nigeria.

His appointment was announced in a statement by the United Kingdom government on Tuesday.

Montgomery is expected to begin his new role in April 2023.

Montgomery is to take over from Catriona Laing who has been the UK’s representative in Nigeria since 2018.

According to the statement, Laing will be transferred to another diplomatic service appointment.

The high commissioner is the UK government’s representative in a Commonwealth nation.

They are responsible for the direction and work of the consulate, including political relations, trade and investment, press and cultural relations, and visa and consular services.

Montgomery served as the counsellor (development) and Head of Office, Department for International Development, Abuja, from 2009-2013.

He holds a PhD in social anthropology from the University of Cambridge, alongside other research-related qualifications from GKW Consult Mannheim and Manchester University.

The diplomat was, most recently, the UK Executive Director for the World Bank Group in Washington.