CBN Governor Hosts Outgoing UK Envoy Montgomery in Abuja

By Princely Onyenwe | News Desk

ABUJA, Nigeria — The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, on Wednesday received the outgoing British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, during a farewell visit to the Bank’s Head Office in Abuja.

The visit formed part of Montgomery’s final official engagements as he prepares to conclude his diplomatic assignment in Nigeria after serving as the United Kingdom’s High Commissioner since May 2023.

During his tenure, he also served as the UK’s Permanent Representative to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), playing a pivotal role in strengthening diplomatic, economic and development cooperation between both countries.

Although the Central Bank did not disclose details of the discussions, the meeting reflected the longstanding partnership between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, particularly in the areas of economic development, financial sector reforms, trade, investment and institutional collaboration.

Montgomery’s relationship with Nigeria spans well beyond his current posting. Between 2009 and 2013, he served in Abuja as Counsellor for Development and Head of Office of the United Kingdom’s former Department for International Development (DFID), where he oversaw major development programmes across the country.

Before returning to Nigeria as High Commissioner, he served as the UK’s Executive Director at the World Bank Group in Washington, D.C., from 2018 to 2022.

His farewell visit to the apex bank comes ahead of a leadership transition at the British High Commission. The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has announced the appointment of seasoned diplomat Peter Vowles as the next British High Commissioner to Nigeria.

Vowles, who most recently served as His Majesty’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, is expected to assume office in September 2026, ushering in a new chapter in the long-standing diplomatic relationship between both nations.

The meeting with Cardoso also comes at a critical period for Nigeria’s economy as the Central Bank continues to implement monetary and foreign exchange reforms aimed at restoring macroeconomic stability, strengthening investor confidence and addressing inflationary pressures.

The United Kingdom remains one of Nigeria’s key development and investment partners, making continued collaboration between both countries important to their shared economic objectives.

As Dr. Montgomery rounds off his assignment in Nigeria, his farewell engagements with senior government officials underscore the enduring ties between Abuja and London, while expectations grow for continued cooperation under the incoming British High Commissioner, Peter Vowles.