Dr. Richard Montgomery, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, has praised the significant contributions of Nigerians to the United Kingdom, noting their impact on business, arts, and political leadership. Montgomery made these remarks on Wednesday evening in Abuja at a reception celebrating the 76th birthday of King Charles III.
King Charles III, crowned in May 2023 as monarch of the United Kingdom and 14 other Commonwealth nations, was honored at the event for his dedication to fostering strong ties within the Commonwealth. The British envoy highlighted the occasion as a chance to reflect on the strong bilateral relations between the UK and Nigeria, rooted in shared history, Commonwealth values, and deep personal connections.
“Tonight, we celebrate His Majesty, King Charles III, on his 76th birthday and thank our Nigerian stakeholders, partners, and friends for their support and collaboration with the British High Commission in Abuja,” Montgomery said. “We look forward to further strengthening these partnerships.”
Montgomery also referenced the recent visit of British Foreign Secretary David Lammy to Nigeria—his first African tour since taking office in July—as a reflection of the UK’s commitment to bolstering its partnership with Nigeria. During Lammy’s visit, the two nations signed a strategic partnership to reinforce and expand their cooperation.
He explained that although King Charles’s official birthday is observed in the UK each June with the “Trooping the Colour” parade, the Abuja celebration highlighted areas of close collaboration between the UK and Nigeria. He noted that the High Commission’s flagship cultural campaign, “Jollof and Tea,” is a testament to this relationship, celebrating the UK-Nigeria connection across music, sports, art, literature, food, and fashion.
Reflecting on the monarch’s personal ties with Nigeria, Montgomery noted that King Charles has visited Nigeria four times between 1990 and 2018 and recently met with President Bola Tinubu at Buckingham Palace in September. These interactions, he said, exemplify the enduring friendship and mutual respect between the UK and Nigeria.
