US Ambassador Richard Mills Concludes Tenure in Nigeria as Trump Orders Diplomatic Recall
- Richard Mills concluded his role as United States ambassador to Nigeria following a diplomatic recall ordered by President Donald Trump
- The US mission confirmed his departure on January 16, 2026, marking an early end to his tenure
- His exit came amid strained US-Nigeria relations, with Deputy Chief of Mission Keith Heffern stepping in as Charge d’Affaires
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Richard Mills concluded his tenure as the United States ambassador to Nigeria after President Donald Trump recalled envoys across dozens of America’s global missions.
The US mission in Nigeria announced on January 20 that Mills’ last day in office was Friday. He had been confirmed as ambassador in May 2024.
Source: Twitter
The embassy stated:
“Friday, January 16, 2026, was Ambassador Richard Mills’s last day as U.S. Ambassador to U.S. Mission Nigeria. Ambassador Mills led the U.S. Mission in strengthening our 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.”
Envoys usually serve between three and four years, but a diplomatic shake-up in December saw Mills withdrawn from his post earlier than expected. Reports said over two dozen countries were affected, with Africa being the most impacted continent.
US-Nigeria relations under strain
Mills’ recall came amid frosty relations between Washington and Abuja, particularly over visa disputes and security concerns. Despite these tensions, both sides were reported to have continued efforts to strengthen their partnership through joint initiatives.
Officials from the US State Department explained that recalled ambassadors would not lose their foreign service jobs. They said the envoys would return to Washington and could take up other assignments if they wished.
Source: Twitter
US embassy in Nigeria
The United States Embassy in Nigeria serves as the central hub for diplomatic relations between Washington and Abuja, offering consular services and fostering bilateral cooperation.
The US Embassy, located in Abuja, works alongside the Consulate General in Lagos to provide services for American citizens and Nigerian residents. It handles visa applications, supports trade and investment, and promotes cultural and educational exchanges.
The mission also addresses security, governance, and health issues while strengthening ties between the two nations. Through programmes such as the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), the embassy ensures safety updates for US citizens living or travelling in Nigeria.
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Trump orders immediate recall of US Ambassador
Legit.ng earlier reported that the United States President, Donald Trump, has ordered the recall of Richard Mills, U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, in what is being described as a major reshuffle of U.S. diplomatic postings worldwide. The move is part of a broader recall affecting over two dozen countries, with Africa reportedly the most impacted continent.
Nigeria is one of 15 African nations to have had its ambassadors recalled, alongside Algeria, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Gabon, Madagascar, Mauritius, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, and Uganda.
In addition, several Asia-Pacific countries, including Fiji, Laos, the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and Vietnam, as well as European countries like Armenia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Slovakia, have seen changes. Guatemala and Suriname were affected in the Western Hemisphere.
Source: Legit.ng
