A DORSET man has a challenge on his hands to promote British business interest in Africa’s most populous country.

Bob Dewar, who has been British High Commissioner to Nigeria since 2007, is working out of Africa to bring positive change to his adoptive country.

Maiden Newton resident Mr Dewar, 61, wants to adjust people’s perceptions of a nation more famed for its military coups than its cohesion.

Living in the capital Abuja with his wife Jenny, Mr Dewar regularly travels across Nigeria on behalf of the Foreign Office.

He said: “I’m trying to bring positive change to the continent and trying to promote British interest.

“The current impetus from the foreign secretary William Hague is to push for business and export growth, moving Nigeria forward.

“We’re getting a lot of new enquiries about businesses thinking there’s an opportunity out there.”

A change in migration policy for non-EU residents with a capping limit is another issue Mr Dewar is dealing with.

He said: “We have a very busy time managing migration visas.

“We’re making sure that when there are people coming to the UK it’s according to the law. We don’t want any immigration that can harm us.”

Although Mr Dewar is an admirer of the culture, heritage and people of Nigeria, he is proud to call West Dorset home.

“Dorchester is a great place to come back to because the sea is not that far away.”