Trump Recalls US Ambassador to Nigeria in Diplomatic Overhaul

In a sweeping diplomatic realignment signaling the incoming Trump administration’s “America First” agenda, President Donald Trump has recalled the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard F. Mills Jr., alongside several other career diplomats appointed under the Biden administration.

The move, first reported by Politico on December 22, 2025, affects around 10 ambassadors, including those to key nations like Israel, Taiwan, and Saudi Arabia. A State Department official confirmed to Politico that these envoys, installed during Joe Biden’s tenure, will conclude their roles as chiefs of mission by mid-January 2026, coinciding with Trump’s inauguration on January 20. The diplomats face no formal dismissal; instead, they can opt for reassignment within Washington or other domestic roles, preserving their careers while reshaping U.S. overseas leadership.

Richard Mills, a seasoned Foreign Service officer with over 35 years of experience, assumed his Nigeria post in March 2023 after serving as chargé d’affaires in Libya. His recall caps a tenure marked by strengthened U.S.-Nigeria ties amid regional security challenges, including Boko Haram insurgency and Sahel instability. Recent State Department updates highlight Mills’ efforts in advancing bilateral trade—U.S. exports to Nigeria hit $7.2 billion in 2024—and countering Chinese influence in Africa’s largest economy. No replacement has been named yet, though Trump allies suggest nominees aligned with his worldview, potentially including political appointees over career bureaucrats.

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This shake-up extends a pattern from Trump’s first term (2017-2021), when he nominated over 100 political ambassadors, often favoring loyalists. Politico notes the current wave targets Biden holdovers to install envoys who prioritize U.S. economic leverage, border security, and reduced multilateral commitments. Similar recalls hit ambassadors to the UN, NATO, and EU posts earlier this month.

For Nigeria, the change arrives amid tense U.S.-Africa dynamics. Trump has criticized past aid levels, vowing cuts unless allies curb migration and terrorism exports. Nigerian officials, including Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar, expressed regret over Mills’ departure via a terse X post but pledged continuity. Analysts like Freedom Onuoha of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs warn of potential disruptions in defense pacts, such as the $997 million arms sale approved in 2024.

The State Department’s transition team emphasized no policy ruptures, but Trump’s December 20 Truth Social post framed it bluntly: “Time to put AMERICA FIRST—drain the swamp abroad too.” As confirmations loom in the Republican-controlled Senate, observers eye ripple effects on U.S. influence in West Africa.