A seasoned 🇬🇧Civil Servant heading up the Department for Business Innovation , Science and Trade team in Nigeria 🇳🇬 and the Anglo-West Africa region

Lagos, Nigeria
Joined July 2024
Alongside HM @DrTunjiAlausa , we marked an important milestone in the 🇬🇧🇳🇬 higher education with the launch of @unibirmingham @UnilagNigeria partnership! This collaboration will expand opportunities for students and stregthen the skills for future economic growth @UKinNigeria – at Victoria Island, Nigeria
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Thank you Honourable Minister @DrTunjiAlausa for your leadership and for championing the landmark partnership between @unibirmingham and @UnilagNigeria, a truly fantastic moment in 🇬🇧🇳🇬education partnership @UKinNigeria 👏👏👇
History Made! 🇳🇬🇬🇧 World-Class Education, Right Here in Nigeria! On 29 January 2026, we signed a landmark agreement between the @UnilagNigeria and the @unibirmingham marking a historic milestone for Nigeria’s Transnational Education (TNE) programme. Less than nine months later, that vision is becoming a reality. Yesterday, as part of this partnership, we officially launched two joint postgraduate programmes in Artificial Intelligence & Data Technologies and Digital Media & Communications, with teaching beginning in September 2027 and plans to introduce bachelor’s degree programmes in market-relevant fields next year. Under President @officialABAT, GCFR’s Renewed Hope Agenda, we are turning our commitment to quality education into real opportunities for Nigerian students, in line with the Education Quality Assurance pillar of @NesriNigeria. My sincere appreciation to the leadership of the University of Birmingham and UNILAG, the National Universities Commission (NUC), @TETFundNg, the @UKinNigeria, @tradegovukFRA, and everyone who worked tirelessly to bring this partnership to life. This is what meaningful international partnerships can achieve. We are raising the bar for tertiary education in Nigeria, creating new opportunities for our young people and positioning our universities on the global stage. And we are only getting started!
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🇬🇧🇳🇬👏👏👏👇
Welcome EbonyLife Place: a new home for Black and African culture and creativity, right here in London.
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A landmark day for 🇬🇧African capital markets#Airtel money’s @LSEGplc listing reinforce’s 🇬🇧 position as the leading destination for Africa-focused businesses, offering access to capital, professional services and international networks to help firms scale and compete globally 👇
Introducing London's newest market arrival: Airtel Money 🎉 #AirtelMoney #IPO #MarketOpen #LondonStockExchange
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Mark Smithson retweeted
Black and African cinema hub opens in London ➡️ bbc.in/3Vyiygl
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Fantastic to see the opening of EbonyLife London in the presence of the @MayorofLondon. A great step forward in the deepening of 🇬🇧🇳🇬 collaboration in the Creafive industries, a vital sector that drives growth in both our countries 👏👏👏 – at Victoria Island, Nigeria
The opening of #EbonyLifePlaceLondon today marks a major moment for UK-Nigeria creative collaboration. As we deepen creative sector ties through #ETIP, partnerships like this are driving investment, showcasing Nigerian talent globally, and creating jobs. #GROWUKNG
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Many congratulations @MoAbudu , a fantastic milestone that will help deepen 🇬🇧 🇳🇬 collaboration and parterships in the Creative Industries 👏@ukinnigeria – at Victoria Island, Nigeria
Nollywood is here 🇳🇬 Delighted to open the new EbonyLife studios, bringing Lagos to London and more diverse storytelling to the big screen.
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Looking forward to attending 👇 Please join if in London and interested in 🇬🇧🇳🇬 bilateral trade and mutual growth @UKinNigeria
Panellist Spotlight: Mr. @MarkSmithsonDBT We're delighted to welcome Mr. Mark Smithson, Country Director, Nigeria and Regional Director, Anglo West Africa at BDHC, Lagos, Nigeria, to the Nigeria Economic Outlook Forum (UK), October 2026 Edition. An experienced British civil servant, he has held senior international roles across Europe, the United States, Southeast Asia and the UK, spanning trade and investment, capital investment, technology, creative industries and consular affairs. In his current role, he leads the UK's efforts to deepen trade and investment ties between the UK, Nigeria and the wider Anglo-West African region, supporting market access, investment, exports and commercial partnerships His perspective will help shape an honest, forward-looking conversation on Nigeria's next phase of growth. Join us and be part of it. 📅 Thursday, 22nd October 2026 📍 Broadway House Conference Centre, Tothill Street, London SW1H 9NQ 🕚 11:00 AM Attendance is complimentary, but registration is mandatory. 👉 bit.ly/NEOFUK #NEOFUK #SpeakerSpotlight #NBCC #NigeriaEconomicOutlook #BDHC #NigeriaUK
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Truly inspiring 🇳🇬 creativity and talent knows no bounds @UKinNigeria
From strutting in the streets Lagos to strutting in an actual runway in Paris 😱 @giverachelashot has done it! 🙌🏾👏🏾 Seven weeks ago, when we interviewed Rachel Ojuromi, she spoke of a dream but on October 5th she walked that dream debuting at Paris Fashion week.
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Looking forward to this session to hear from @piggyvest how the 🇬🇧 provided an enabling environment and a springboard for international expansion @UKinNigeria
Odunayo Eweniyi knows what it takes to build for Africa, and what it takes to back the people building for it. At Moonshot by TechCabal 2026, she’ll be sharing her perspective on what it takes to scale globally. If you want to understand how African companies can compete beyond their home markets, you’ll want to hear from @OdunEweniyi at Moonshot. Get 20% off your Moonshot ticket: moonshot.techcabal.com #MoonshotByTechCabal #Moonshot2026 #CourageAndConviction
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Really pleased to see this. The @LSEGplc is home to more than 110 African businesses, far more than any other international exchange thanks to our Africa friendly regulatory frameworks , business environment and deep pools of capital 👍👇🇬🇧🇳🇬 @UKinNigeria
Airtel Money has announced plans to list its shares on the London Stock Exchange in a proposed initial public offering, as the African digital financial services business moves toward a potential public listing.
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Mark Smithson retweeted
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
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Mark Smithson retweeted
Delighted to welcome HC @PeteVowles on his first visit to #Lagos. A great opportunity to meet our Lagos team and hear about their work delivering UK priorities in Nigeria's commercial capital. Looking forward to a productive visit ahead. #UKNGPartnership
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A very big welcome to our new High Commissioner, @PeteVowles! We are glad to welcome Pete as he settles into this dynamic country to steer our deep and enduring partnership. 🇬🇧🤝🇳🇬 He is keen to travel, meet people and build on our many connections. Join us in welcoming Pete!
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One not to be missed when it premiers in London. Many congratulations @MoAbudu on this great achievement and on a successful partnership with @BFI 🇬🇧🇳🇬👏👇@UKinNigeria
FROM TORONTO TO LONDON! THE SECRET LIVES OF BABA SEGI’S WIVES has been selected for the 70th BFI London Film Festival! Our SECOND major international film festival selection, following our World Premiere at TIFF on September 11. FROM NIGERIA TO THE WORLD. Our European Premiere takes place in London this October. God, I give You all the glory. In cinemas nationwide December 4, 2026. #AwesomeGod
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Over the weekend, our team from the British High Commission observed the Osun Gubernatorial Election across the state. Please see our statement below.👇
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As I finish my tenure I had the privilege of calling on HE @officialABAT to express admiration for his reforms, discuss the 🇬🇧 🇳🇬 Strategic Partnership & HE’s State Visit hosted by HM The King. Delighted to handover to my successor @PeteVowles to elevate the relationship further
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu receives the outgoing British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, CMG, at the State House, Abuja. Thursday, August 13, 2026. @UKinNigeria | @RMontgomeryUK
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There’s never any shortage of Creativity and talent in 🇳🇬 especially in the dynamic and fast growing Creative Industries sector @UKinNigeria
What if the streets of Lagos became your runway? That is exactly what Rachel Ojuromi has done. From hawking and running errands to serving high-fashion looks, she's turning everyday moments into striking modelling videos that have caught people's attention.
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Scaling British innovation to new heights 🚀 We’re working to unlock £1 billion of investment to help grow UK pension pots by supporting ambitious UK businesses turning breakthrough ideas into global success stories.
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The @LSEGplc is the best international exchange for any 🇳🇬 firm seeking to raise capital 👇@UKinNigeria
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