Career diplomat Jonny Baxter appointed as new British deputy high commissioner in Lagos

JONNY Baxter has been named as the new British deputy high commissioner in Lagos taking over from Ben Llewellyn-Jones who recently concluded his three year sojourn in Nigeria and will be returning to London.

Under the British diplomatic structure in Nigeria, the high commissioner resides in the capital Abuja, while the deputy high commissioner lives in the commercial capital Lagos. Mr Baxter is described as an experienced diplomat who has worked in different parts of the world.

A high commission spokesman said: “Prior to becoming the British deputy high commissioner in Lagos, he served as His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of South Sudan from January 2021 to July 2023 and deputy director, finance and performance department at the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office from 2018 to 2020.”

Also, Mr Baxter has held various senior positions in the Department of International Development (DFID). His track record included running the Human Development Department from 2017 to 2018 and serving as principal private secretary to the secretary of state from 2014 to 2016,and head of the Higher Education Taskforce Secretariat from 2013 to 2014 all at the DFID Headquarters, London.

Prior to these roles, Mr Baxter had postings in Sudan, Iraq, Guyana and Tanzania. He said that he is excited by the new challenge the new appointment offers him.

Mr Baxter added: “I am excited about this new role and I look forward to working with the people of this great country, including those in government, in the private sector and in civil society, to do all I can to help build a more prosperous Nigeria and strengthen the already impressive partnerships between the people and institutions of both our countries.”