LAGOS, Nigeria — The United States Mission in Nigeria has announced the arrival of Brandon Hudspeth as the new U.S. Consul General in Lagos, succeeding Rick Swart, who retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in July.

Hudspeth begins a three-year assignment as the senior U.S. government representative across 17 states in southern Nigeria, taking charge of the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos at a time of expanding economic and diplomatic engagement between Nigeria and the United States.

A career member of the U.S. Senior Foreign Service, Hudspeth brings about two decades of diplomatic experience spanning Africa, Asia, Latin America and Washington, D.C.

The new Consul General is returning to Lagos for his second tour. He previously served as Political-Economic Section Chief at the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos from 2020 to 2022, giving him prior experience of Nigeria’s political and economic environment.

“I am honored to return to Lagos as the U.S. Consul General,” Hudspeth said, highlighting the strength of the U.S.-Nigeria relationship and the entrepreneurial energy shared by Nigerians and Americans.

He said his priorities would include reconnecting with existing partners and building new relationships while working to expand trade and investment, innovation, technology and creative-industry cooperation between the two countries.

Hudspeth’s appointment comes as Washington and Abuja seek to deepen commercial ties and broaden bilateral cooperation beyond traditional diplomatic and security priorities.

Hudspeth brings extensive diplomatic experience

Before returning to Nigeria, Hudspeth served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Windhoek, Namibia.

His previous diplomatic assignments include serving as Director of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement at the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines, where he oversaw U.S. civilian assistance programmes covering law enforcement, rule of law, counter-narcotics initiatives and maritime security cooperation.

He has also served as Political-Economic Section Chief in Bamako, Mali; Nonimmigrant Visa Chief in Havana, Cuba; and Political-Military Officer in Kabul, Afghanistan.

In Washington, Hudspeth worked at the U.S. Department of State’s Operations Center and on the Secretariat Staff supporting the Secretary of State. He also served as a Desk Officer in the Department’s Bureau of African Affairs.

Focus on trade, technology and investment

In Lagos, Hudspeth is expected to play a key role in strengthening U.S. engagement with Nigeria’s private sector, government institutions and civil society across southern Nigeria.

His stated priorities include expanding bilateral trade and investment, promoting innovation and strengthening cooperation in Nigeria’s rapidly developing technology and creative industries.

The emphasis on commercial engagement comes as both countries explore opportunities to increase private-sector partnerships and create new avenues for economic growth.

Hudspeth said he looked forward to working with Nigerians to create opportunities that advance shared prosperity for both countries.

Education and professional background

A native of Texas, Hudspeth is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Morehouse College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Economics.

He holds a Master of Public Policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School and a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University, where he graduated as a Distinguished Graduate.

Hudspeth succeeds Rick Swart, who concluded his tenure as U.S. Consul General in Lagos before retiring from the U.S. Foreign Service in July.

His return to Lagos places an experienced U.S. diplomat with extensive African and economic-policy experience at the centre of Washington’s engagement with Nigeria’s southern region