The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, has officially ended his tenure following President Donald Trump’s decision to recall around 30 U.S. envoys from different countries worldwide.
Amb. Mills, who was confirmed as U.S. ambassador to Nigeria in May 2024, served nearly two years in the role.
“Ambassador Mills led the U.S. Mission in strengthening relationship with Nigeria for the last year and a half.
“Current Deputy Chief of Mission Keith Heffern will serve as Charge d’Affaires, a.i. until further notice,” the U.S. Mission in Nigeria announced on Tuesday.
The recall of Mills came as part of a sweeping diplomatic reshuffle unveiled by President Trump in December 2025, affecting multiple U.S. ambassadors. His assignment officially concluded on Friday.
The move marks a departure from usual diplomatic practices, as political transitions generally involve the voluntary resignation of political appointees rather than the sudden removal of career diplomats, who are normally retained to maintain continuity.
The envoys impacted, mostly career Foreign Service officers appointed during the Biden administration, were informed that their postings would end in January 2026.
The U.S. Department of State revealed that Africa had the highest number of recalls among the more than two dozen countries affected.
Officials described the action as a “standard process,” emphasizing that the President has the authority to appoint ambassadors who fully represent his policy priorities.
The affected diplomats will be reassigned to positions in Washington while retaining their Foreign Service status.
However, the American Foreign Service Association criticised the recall as “highly irregular,” warning that it amounted to “institutional sabotage” and could harm U.S. credibility while leaving vital diplomatic posts vacant.
This development comes amid recent shifts in U.S.-Nigeria relations, including Nigeria’s redesignation as a Country of Particular Concern and the introduction of visa restrictions, among other measures.
Despite these issues, both nations continue to maintain mutually beneficial ties, with ongoing efforts aimed at strengthening diplomatic and strategic partnerships.
