Richard Mills has ended his tenure as United States Ambassador to Nigeria following President Donald Trump’s decision to recall about 30 US ambassadors and envoys worldwide.
Mills, who was confirmed in May 2024, served as ambassador for nearly two years. His departure was confirmed on Tuesday by the US Mission in Nigeria, which said his tour of duty officially ended on Friday.
The mission noted that Mills played a key role in strengthening diplomatic ties between the United States and Nigeria during his time in office. It announced that Deputy Chief of Mission Keith Heffern will assume duties as Chargé d’Affaires on an interim basis.
President Trump announced the diplomatic shake-up in December 2025, affecting envoys in over two dozen countries. According to the US Department of State, Africa has been the region most affected by the recalls.
The decision has drawn attention because it abruptly removed career diplomats rather than political appointees, a move seen as unusual in US diplomatic practice. Most of the affected envoys were appointed during the Biden administration and were notified that their assignments would end in January 2026.
US officials defended the action as a standard process, arguing that the President has the right to ensure that ambassadors fully support his policy agenda. They stressed that the recalled diplomats would be reassigned and would not lose their Foreign Service positions.
The American Foreign Service Association, however, criticised the recall, describing it as institutional sabotage and warning that it could undermine US diplomatic credibility.
Mills’ exit comes at a time of evolving US–Nigeria relations, marked by issues such as Nigeria’s redesignation as a Country of Particular Concern and new visa restrictions. Nevertheless, officials from both countries have expressed confidence that bilateral relations will continue to improve through sustained cooperation and partnership.
