Richard Mills: Things to Know About the Recalled US Ambassador to Nigeria
- US President Donald Trump ordered the recall of Richard Mills, the United States ambassador to Nigeria, as part of a sweeping reshuffle of diplomatic postings worldwide
- The move formed part of a broader recall affecting more than two dozen countries, with Africa reported to be the most impacted
- Mills, a seasoned career diplomat confirmed to his post in May 2024, had only recently taken up the role before the sudden decision
US President Donald Trump has ordered the recall of Richard Mills, the United States ambassador to Nigeria, in what officials described as part of a sweeping reshuffle of diplomatic postings worldwide. Reports indicated that Africa was the most affected continent in this move.
Here are key things to know about Ambassador Mills:
Source: Twitter
Ambassador to Nigeria confirmed in 2024
Richard M. Mills, Jr. was confirmed as the US ambassador to Nigeria on May 2, 2024. His posting was part of Washington’s wider diplomatic strategy in Africa before the sudden recall.
Career foreign service officer
Ambassador Mills was a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, holding the rank of Minister-Counsellor. He most recently served as Deputy Representative of the United States to the United Nations. Mills had a long diplomatic career. He previously served as Chargé d’Affaires, ad interim, at the US Embassy in Canada, as US Ambassador to Armenia between 2015 and 2018, Deputy Chief of Mission in Beirut, Lebanon from 2012 to 2014, and Deputy Chief of Mission and Chargé d’Affaires, ad interim, in Malta from 2010 to 2012.
Joined the US foreign service in 1988
Mills entered the US Foreign Service in 1988. His assignments included Senior Democracy Advisor at the US Embassy in Baghdad, Political Counsellor at the US Embassy in London, and Attache for Energy Issues at the US Embassy in Riyadh.
Academic and legal background
Before joining the Foreign Service, Mills worked as an Associate Attorney with Duncan, Allen and Mitchell in Washington, D.C. between 1984 and 1987. Mills earned a B.A. in Foreign Service from Georgetown University in 1981, a J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law in 1984, and an M.S. in National Security Policy from the National Defense University in 2005.
Awards, recognition, language
He was nominated for the State Department’s Deputy Chief of Mission of the Year Award in 2012. Over his career, he received nine Superior Honor Awards from the Department of State. Mills spoke French and conversational Russian, skills that supported his diplomatic work across different regions.
Family life
His spouse, Leigh Carter, was also a career diplomat. She retired in 2010 after a 25-year career in the US Foreign Service. This recall marked a significant change in US diplomatic presence in Nigeria, with observers noting that Mills’ extensive experience across multiple regions highlighted the scale of the reshuffle.
Source: Twitter
US address whether troops will be sent to Nigeria
Legit.ng earlier reported that the United States ruled out deploying troops to Nigeria, saying its recent decision to designate the country as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) was intended to encourage reforms through diplomatic pressure and partnership rather than military intervention.
According to ThisDay, members of a bipartisan U.S. Congressional delegation, who visited Abuja to assess security and religious freedom concerns, told reporters that while Nigeria needed support to tackle rising violence, Washington was not considering “boots on the ground” as part of its response.
Source: Legit.ng
