The UK Government has appointed Florence Eshalomi, a Nigerian-born Labour (Co-op) MP for Vauxhall and Camberwell Green, as the new trade envoy to Nigeria.
She is part of a new global growth team of UK Trade Envoys appointed by Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds to drive UK exports and investment under the Plan for Change.
Eshalomi will replace Helen Grant, who served as Trade Envoy to Nigeria from October 2020 to May 2024.
High Expectations on Eshalomi
Secretary Jonathan Reynolds stated about Eshalomi’s appointment; “Trade and investment are key to delivering economic growth, the number one mission of this government and a key part of our Plan for Change. That’s why I’ve launched a new team of Trade Envoys, who will use their experience, expertise, and knowledge to unlock new markets around the world for British businesses, drumming up investment into the UK and ultimately driving economic growth.”
Mark Smithson, Country Director for the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) in Nigeria, added, “We are thrilled to welcome Florence Eshalomi MP as the new UK Trade Envoy to Nigeria and look forward to working with her to deliver on the commitments made under the UK Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership and unlock growth and opportunities for our two nations.”
Eshalomi confirmed her appointment in a post on X, expressing her eagerness to strengthen the relationship between the two nations.
“It is an honour to have been appointed as the United Kingdom’s Trade Envoy to Nigeria. I’m looking forward to building on my close ties with Nigeria to promote a strong and flourishing economic relationship between our two great nations,” she wrote.
“I am excited to further enhance the UK’s relationship with Nigeria and explore shared growth and opportunities for both countries.”
About Florence Eshalomi
Florence Eshalomi has been the MP for Vauxhall since 2019 and was re-elected in 2024 for the newly created Vauxhall and Camberwell Green constituency.
Born on September 18, 1980, in Birmingham, she is the daughter of a Nigerian father, Anthony Nosegbe. She earned a BA (Hons) in Political & International Studies with Law from Middlesex University.
Eshalomi began her career at 16, working at Sainsbury’s before transitioning into public affairs and campaigning.
She served as a local councillor for Brixton Hill on Lambeth Borough Council in London. Eshalomi is married to Matthew, and they have two children, Mia and Malachi.
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