LAGOS, Nigeria: Newly appointed British High Commissioner to Nigeria Pete Vowles has started his new diplomatic assignment with a series of engagements in Lagos, meeting young Nigerians, business leaders, investors and representatives of British companies operating in the country.
Vowles, who recently took up the position after serving as British Ambassador to Zimbabwe, said his early days in Nigeria had given him an opportunity to better understand Lagos and its importance to the country.
Posting on social media on September 23, he described Lagos as an “incredible” city after spending his second week in the country.
“L A G O S
What a city! It’s been important in my 2nd week in the job to get a sense of this incredible place.
Thank you for the welcome and for having us.”
The High Commissioner also visited the Lagos coastline, where he went for a morning run and observed ships entering the city’s ports.
He linked the visit to the importance of Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure to economic growth, pointing to British support for the redevelopment of two major Lagos port facilities.
“Great morning run along Lagos’ Atlantic coast & view of ships coming into port. High functioning ports are critical to 🇳🇬 economic growth.
Which is why UK has announced nearly $1bn to fund the redevelopment Lagos’s Apapa Quays & TinCan Island Port Complex.”
Vowles’ engagements have also focused on strengthening commercial relations between Britain and Nigeria.
On September 22, he met British businesses operating in Nigeria at an event hosted by Jonny Baxter of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
“Enjoyed meeting 🇬🇧 businesses operating across Nigeria at a great event hosted by @JonnyBaxterFCDO
Fantastic energy in the room. Another key part of the 🇬🇧 🇳🇬 partnership.
#GrowUKNG
@UKinNigeria
@biztradegovuk”
He also joined business leaders, investors and partners at an event celebrating the results of the UK Manufacturing Africa programme in Nigeria.
Vowles said he heard accounts of Nigerian businesses developing new ideas, attracting investment and creating jobs through the programme.
Figures released by the UK in Nigeria showed that the initiative has supported 72 businesses over six years, with 23 deals closed, more than $630 million mobilised and 21,400 direct jobs created.
“Looking to raise capital in Nigeria?” the UK in Nigeria account said while sharing information about its fundraising toolkit for businesses.
Vowles has also begun engaging young Nigerians, with the High Commissioner saying he enjoyed a discussion about their ambitions for the country.
“Loved meeting a great group of young people and hearing their ambitions for Nigeria. Thoughtful, passionate & energetic discussion. Thank you for taking the time 🙏”
His arrival in Nigeria comes with extensive diplomatic and development experience across Africa and Asia.
Vowles served as British Ambassador to Zimbabwe from 2023 to 2026. Before that, he was Transformation Director at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office from 2022 to 2023 and Chargé d’Affaires ad Interim to Myanmar from 2021 to 2022.
He previously served as Head of DFID Kenya between 2016 and 2018 and has held diplomatic and development assignments in Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
According to his official biography, his career has covered diplomacy, development, economic partnerships, crisis leadership and organisational change. Before joining the UK government in 2006, he worked in the private sector, the World Bank, international non governmental organisations and the UK National Health Service.
As British High Commissioner, Vowles is responsible for the direction and work of the UK High Commission in Nigeria, covering political affairs, trade and investment, press and cultural relations, and visa and consular services.
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