The British High Commission in Abuja has appointed Cynthia Rowe as the new Development Director for the British High Commission in Nigeria.
Rowe assumes her role following the four-year tenure of Mr Christopher Prycroft.
Rowe, an accomplished development diplomat and practitioner, brings a wealth of experience from her diverse career spanning various regions, including Nepal, Afghanistan, and Sierra Leone.
The British High Commission expressed confidence in Rowe’s ability to build on the successes achieved by her predecessor, particularly in the areas of Health, Education, Governance, and humanitarian efforts.
To mark her arrival, Rowe shared her enthusiasm for working in Nigeria, acknowledging the country’s remarkable talent, opportunities, and challenges. She emphasized her passion for fostering the close relationship between the UK and Nigeria, with partnership as the cornerstone of her mission.
“I am delighted to be in Nigeria, one of the most remarkable countries in the world for its talent, opportunities, and challenges.
“I very much look forward to working with UK government colleagues, together with the government of Nigeria, to advance Nigeria’s development agenda,” she said.
Before her appointment in Nigeria, Rowe was the Head of Governance, Political and Services at the British Embassy in Kathmandu.
Her extensive career includes roles such as the Senior Councillor for policy for the Department for International Development in Tanzania and Head of Mission/Lead for Ebola Operations in Sierra Leone.
Rowe has contributed to international development efforts and played a significant role in the UK, where she participated in the redesign of UK Local Government systems and scrutinized government performance with the Audit Commission.
Recognizing her outstanding contributions, she has been awarded two Service Medals for her work in Afghanistan and her pivotal role in managing the Ebola crisis.
Her appointment is expected to strengthen the ties between the UK and Nigeria, with a focus on collaborative efforts to advance the development agenda in the region.