United States President, Donald Trump, has recalled the US ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, as part of a broad diplomatic overhaul that has affected more than two dozen American missions across the globe, with Africa bearing the brunt of the shake-up.
Nigeria is one of 15 African nations impacted by the recall of US envoys. Other countries on the continent affected include Algeria, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Gabon, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Madagascar, Mauritius, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia and Uganda.
The changes also extend beyond Africa. In the Asia-Pacific region, the affected countries are Fiji, Laos, the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and Vietnam.
In Europe, Armenia, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Slovakia were included, while Guatemala and Suriname were impacted in the western hemisphere.
According to State Department officials who spoke to The Guardian UK, the ambassadors were notified last week that their postings would come to an end in January.
Although the diplomats had initially remained in office following an early purge during the opening months of Trump’s second term, a move largely targeting political appointees, the situation shifted on Wednesday when formal recall notices were issued from Washington, DC.
Politico reported that the recalls are part of a wider strategy to bring US diplomatic missions into closer alignment with President Trump’s “America First” foreign policy agenda.
A State Department official confirmed that all the affected ambassadors were appointed under former President Joe Biden and will conclude their assignments as chiefs of mission in January.
Ambassadors typically serve terms of three to four years. While their ambassadorial roles are ending, officials clarified that the diplomats are not being dismissed from the foreign service and may return to Washington to take up other assignments if they choose.
Mills, who was confirmed as US ambassador to Nigeria in May, is departing at a time when relations between Washington and Abuja have faced challenges, particularly concerning visa policies and security issues.
Nonetheless, his recall comes amid continued efforts by both governments to reinforce bilateral relations. Just last week, Mills held talks with Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, focusing on areas of cooperation.
The meeting followed comments by Congressman Riley Moore that the United States and Nigeria were nearing an agreement on a “strategic security framework” aimed at addressing terrorism in West Africa.
State Department officials reiterated that the recalled envoys retain their foreign service status and may return to Washington for other diplomatic roles should they opt to do so.
