Countries belonging to the Commonwealth of Nations typically exchange high commissioners, rather than ambassadors. Though there are a few technical differences, they are in practice one and the same office. The following persons have served as British high commissioner to the Federal Republic of Nigeria since the country gained its independence from the United Kingdom on 1 October 1960:1960–1963: Antony Head, 1st Viscount Head 1964–1967: Sir Francis Cumming-Bruce 1967–1969: Sir David Hunt 1969–1971: Sir Leslie Glass 1971–1974: Sir Cyril Pickard 1974–1976: Sir Martin Le Quesne 1977–1978: Sir Sam Falle 1979–1983: Sir Mervyn Brown 1983–1984: Sir Hamilton Whyte 1984–1986: High commissioner recalled following the Dikko Affair 1986–1988: Sir Martin Ewans 1988–1991: Brian Barder 1991–1994: Christopher MacRae 1994–1997: Thorold Masefield 1997–2001: Sir Graham Burton 2001–2004: Sir Philip Thomas 2004–2007: Sir Richard Gozney 2007–2011: Robert Dewar 2011–2012: Andrew Lloyd 2012–2015: Sir Andrew Pocock 2015–2018: Paul Arkwright 2018–2023: Catriona Laing 2023– : Richard Montgomery