The 2025 Nigerian edition of the Commonwealth High Commissioners’ Banquet

The 2025 Nigerian edition of the Commonwealth High Commissioners’ Banquet was colourfully and successfully hosted by the Royal Commonwealth Society Nigeria Branch in the Abuja Continental Hotel, Abuja, Nigeria on Tuesday, 24 June, 2025, with the theme: ‘Our Commonwealth, Our Heritage, and Our Prosperity’. 

Dignities at the event included public office holders, Commonwealth and Nigerian diplomats, and other members of the international community in the country, Heads / CEOs of Government Ministries Departments & Agencies, and leading business figures.  

His Excellency Senator George Akume, CON, Secretary to the Government of the Federation was the Special Guest of Honour while Her Excellency, Ambassador Professor (Mrs) Olufolake AbdulRazaq, the Chairperson of the Nigeria Governors' Spouses Forum, and the First Lady of Kwara State, was the Mother of the Day / Guest of Honour at the event. 

Goodwill messages to the 2025 Edition of the Commonwealth High Commissioners' Banquet in Nigeria, were delivered by Canadian, Australian & Sierra Leone High Commissions in Nigeria, representing Americas, Pacific and Africa regions of the Commonwealth. The keynote address was delivered by the First Lady of Kwara State, and special remarks by the representative of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).  

In addition, virtual goodwill messages were delivered by the former Chair board of Governors, Commonwealth Secretariat / Deputy Chair of the Royal Commonwealth Society, His Excellency, Ambassador (Dr) Chris Nonis from Sri Lanka; Rosie Glazebrook, the Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, from London and Hon. Professor Matthew Neuhaus, President, Royal Commonwealth Society, Canberra, Australia Capital Territory Branch.  

Heads and CEOs of Federal Government's Ministries, Departments and Agencies attended the 2025 Commonwealth High Commissioners Banquet, including Director General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria; Managing Director, Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority; Executive Director, Lagos International Trade Fair Complex; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers' Council; Secretary, Nigerian in Diaspora Commission and Director, Nigerian Export Promotion Council among other guests, who also spoke at the event.  

Overall, intellectual discussions, constructive engagements, networking opportunities, delicious food, musical and drama performances and cultural display all contributed to the outstanding success of the 2025 Commonwealth High Commissioners' Banquet in Nigeria. 

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About the author 

Blackson Olaseni Bayewumi, is the the Country Director of the Royal Commonwealth Society, Nigeria Branch. He is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Conversation. He is an innovative, enterprising, dynamic and result-oriented Economist, who holds B.Sc and M.Sc Degrees in Economics. Also, He is a proponent of Sustainable Development, Democracy, Equality, Good Governance, Rule of Law, Diversity, Human Rights, Climate Change, Gender Equality, International Peace and Economic Diplomacy. In addition, he is committed to promoting Nation Building, National Development, Citizenship Mainstreaming, Value Added Citizenship, Trade and Investment, Poverty Alleviation and Wealth Creation with over 30 years’ experience in Commonwealth Affairs and 15 years of experience in Nigerian Diaspora Relations. 

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The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Royal Commonwealth Society.