Trump Recalls US Ambassador to Nigeria Alongside Several Career Diplomats
US President Donald Trump has recalled US Ambassador to Nigeria Richard Mills, along with multiple other career diplomats, from their ambassadorial assignments.
According to Politico, the move is aimed at aligning US diplomatic representation with Trump’s “America First” agenda. A State Department official confirmed that the recalled ambassadors, initially appointed during the Biden administration, will conclude their tenures in January.
While the diplomats may return to Washington for other roles, their postings as chiefs of mission will end. Africa has been the most affected region, with ambassadors from 13 countries—including Nigeria, Burundi, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Uganda—among those recalled. Other affected regions include the Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, South Asia, and the Western Hemisphere.
The State Department described the recalls as a routine process in any administration, emphasizing that ambassadors serve at the president’s discretion to advance policy priorities. “An ambassador is a personal representative of the president, and it is the president’s right to ensure that he has individuals in these countries who advance the America First agenda,” the statement said.
Officials stressed that the diplomats are not losing their foreign service positions and can continue to serve in other capacities within the department. Nonetheless, the sudden departures are expected to require adjustments in embassy operations and diplomatic initiatives in the affected nations.
The recall of the US ambassador to Nigeria comes amid growing attention on US-Africa relations and has prompted concern from some lawmakers and the American Foreign Service Association. For Nigeria, the envoy’s departure marks a significant shift in diplomatic engagement at a time when the country is a key partner in regional security, economic collaboration, and development projects.
