The United Kingdom has appointed Vicky Seymour as its new Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, succeeding Gill Lever OBE, whose diplomatic posting in the country ended in June 2026. Seymour has already assumed her duties at the British High Commission in Abuja.

The appointment was announced by the British High Commission, which said Seymour will play a central role in advancing the long-standing partnership between the United Kingdom and Nigeria. Her responsibilities will include supporting cooperation in areas such as trade, security, governance, migration, education, investment and international development.

Seymour brings more than 20 years of diplomatic and development experience to the role. Before her latest appointment, she served as Head of the East Africa Department at the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). She has also held senior positions as Development Director in Mozambique and worked in Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Afghanistan.

Commenting on her appointment, Seymour said she was delighted to take up the position and looked forward to engaging with Nigeria’s diverse communities while building on the strong relationship between both countries. She described Nigeria as an extraordinary nation and expressed her commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation.

Her appointment comes as the UK continues to strengthen its diplomatic engagement with Nigeria across economic, security and development priorities, reinforcing the strategic ties between the two Commonwealth nations.

Matthew Owoade, the abducted headmaster of Nomadic Basic School, Igbojaye, in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State, has regained his freedom after spending about two days in captivity.

The Oyo State Police Command said Owoade was released after sustained pressure from a coordinated joint security operation, which forced his abductors to abandon him. He has since been taken to a medical facility for evaluation and treatment.

Police spokesperson DSP Olayinka Ayanlade said the victim will be debriefed after receiving medical care as investigators continue efforts to identify, arrest, and prosecute those responsible for the abduction.

Owoade, 60, was kidnapped while returning from his farm along the Igbojaye–Budo Aare road. His abductors reportedly demanded a ₦30 million ransom, prompting a joint response by security agencies.

The Commissioner of Police commended the support of other security agencies, local communities, and residents during the rescue operation, while urging the public to continue providing credible information to aid ongoing efforts to combat crime in the state.

The National Universities Commission has approved the unbundling of the Mass Communication programme at the University of Nigeria into five specialised degree programmes.

The approval is part of the commission’s efforts to modernise communication and media education in Nigerian universities, enabling students to pursue more focused academic and professional training.

Under the new structure, the former Mass Communication programme will now be offered as five separate degree programmes:

Journalism and Media Studies

Broadcasting

Public Relations

Advertising

Strategic Communication

The university said the restructuring is designed to reflect the evolving nature of the media and communication industry, providing students with specialised knowledge and practical skills tailored to their chosen fields.

University management described the development as a significant milestone that aligns its academic offerings with global best practices and the NUC’s revised curriculum for communication studies.

The institution expressed confidence that the new programmes will enhance graduates’ competitiveness in the media, public relations, advertising, and strategic communication sectors while meeting the growing demands of the digital media landscape.