What is your role as High Commissioner?

I am working for Britain here in Nigeria to help bring positive progress and change to this large African democracy- and thus help Britain- while providing the best possible service to British people and businesses. I keep in close touch with all stakeholders including non-governmental organisations and civil society.

What’s clear is that we are truly in a global village these days and that Britain’s domestic and foreign priorities are intertwined. Nigeria has great opportunities but also faces big challenges including reducing poverty; bringing economic growth that everyone benefits from, including from oil and gas; tackling climate change; preventing conflict, radicalisation and crime; and managing migration. Britain is adding value in all those areas. And I think Britain provides the link for the new Nigeria to international skills, standards and values including good governance.  If Nigeria succeeds, Africa and the world benefits. If it has problems then we are all affected.

How does your work in Nigeria affect people back in the UK?

As you would expect, work linked to the current world economic crisis is critical. It affects us all, including Nigeria and Africa, and we want common solutions and common approaches while not undercutting African development or holding back progress on global issues like the Doha trade round and combating climate change. So I met the Nigerian Minister of Finance a couple of times before he went to London to participate in the Africa meeting with the Prime Minister at No 10, explaining to him our approach to the global financial and banking crisis, including the need to find common solutions and work for better transparency and regulation, while avoiding protectionism.

I support British companies so I recently arranged a meeting between a Governor of one of this country’s federal States to meet Directors of a UK company- to discuss an important power project.

Picture 1 - Bob with the Lagos State Governor

Another priority is the safety and welfare of British nationals so when, alas there are incidents of kidnapping, I spend a lot of time in touch with senior Nigerians trying to secure their immediate, safe and unconditional release.  The other day I talked to the annual meeting of all our consular liaison officers- who are on the ground helping us greatly by keeping in touch with local British citizens in their area.  I give priority to managed migration so I accompanied our Home Office Minister recently when discussing a prisoner transfer agreement with the Government of Nigeria, important because of the many Nigerians in UK prisons.

Picture 2 - Bob at the Visa Application Centre in Lago

I am working to promote a successful post-2012 climate agreement so I made a key note speech on the need to combat climate change together- at the launch of a new Nigerian National Assembly committee. I also work for the whole of Government and for the millennium development goals and accompanied our Department for International Development Minister to see on the ground good work done in catalysing communities to take HIV AIDS prevention more seriously.

Picture 3 - Bob at a local community, raising HIV/AIDS Awareness

I also recently participated in a workshop organised by the British Council for Chevening scholars, who are young Nigerian leaders of tomorrow, encouraging them to set up their own association - indeed one of them described their UK experience as having ‘expanded minds and opened new doors’.

Picture 4 - Bob with some Chevening Ex-Scholars 

I think that says it all.  Except to add that all of my work is supported by an incredible team of staff - talented individuals from Nigeria and the UK based both in Lagos and Abuja - and their wellbeing is my chief priority.

What do you particularly miss about Britain and like about Nigeria?

The people in Nigeria are great. That’s the strength of the country, the wealth of talent still to be released.  But when I arrived it was sad to see the throw away culture in Nigeria and to hear about deforestation, encroaching desert and poverty in the midst of relative prosperity.  Of course I miss seeing family and friends in the UK. But I have always lived in Africa. I love it. What a privilege to be able to work here, while trying to make a difference.