United States President Donald Trump has reportedly recalled the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, alongside several other career diplomats serving as ambassadors in different parts of the world.
According to a report by Politico, the decision is part of a broader effort to realign US diplomatic missions with President Trump’s “America First” foreign policy agenda.
A State Department official confirmed that the affected ambassadors, many of whom were appointed during the administration of former President Joe Biden, will conclude their ambassadorial duties in January. While their roles as chiefs of mission are ending, the diplomats are expected to return to Washington and may continue serving in other capacities within the State Department if they choose.
Africa appears to be the region most impacted by the shake-up, with ambassadors from 13 African countries recalled. These include Nigeria, Burundi, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and Uganda. Other affected postings span regions such as the Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, South Asia and the Western Hemisphere.
In a statement, the State Department described the move as a routine part of any new administration, stressing that ambassadors serve at the discretion of the president and are expected to advance his policy priorities.
“An ambassador is a personal representative of the president, and it is the president’s right to ensure that he has individuals in these countries who advance the America First agenda,” the statement said.
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Officials also clarified that the recalled diplomats are not being dismissed from the foreign service, noting that they remain eligible to serve in other roles within the department.
However, the sudden recalls are expected to lead to adjustments in embassy operations and ongoing diplomatic initiatives in the affected countries.
In Nigeria, the development marks a significant change in diplomatic engagement, coming at a time when the country remains an important US partner on regional security, economic cooperation and development. The recall has also attracted attention from some US lawmakers and the American Foreign Service Association, which represents American diplomats.
