The United States government has recalled its ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, as part of a wide diplomatic reshuffle ordered by President Donald Trump. The move affects nearly 30 ambassadors and senior embassy officials across different regions of the world, with Africa taking the hardest hit.
US officials confirmed that the recall is part of President Trump’s efforts to realign American foreign policy with his “America First” agenda. According to the officials, the affected ambassadors were appointed during the administration of former President Joe Biden and will now end their service as heads of mission in January.
Richard Mills, who has served as the US ambassador to Nigeria, is among those asked to return to Washington. While he and others may be offered different roles within the US government if they choose, their duties as ambassadors in their host countries will officially come to an end.
A senior State Department official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, explained that the decision is not unusual. The official said ambassadors serve at the pleasure of the president and are expected to promote the policies and priorities of the sitting administration.
“This is a standard process in any administration,” the official said. “When a new president takes office, especially with a different policy direction, changes in diplomatic representation are expected.”
Africa has been the most affected region in the latest reshuffle. Ambassadors to at least 13 African countries have been recalled. These include Nigeria, Burundi, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Uganda. Other African countries are also believed to be affected, although full details have not been made public.
Beyond Africa, the recall has extended to other parts of the world. Countries in the Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, South Asia, and the Western Hemisphere are also affected. This shows that the reshuffle is global in scope, not limited to one region.
The recall of the US ambassador to Nigeria is significant, given the strong diplomatic, economic, and security ties between both countries. Nigeria and the United States have long enjoyed close relations, especially in areas such as trade, security cooperation, education, and health.
The US is one of Nigeria’s major trading partners and a key ally in the fight against terrorism, particularly against groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province. American support has also played a role in Nigeria’s health sector, including programmes on HIV/AIDS, malaria, and maternal health.
Richard Mills has been involved in several diplomatic engagements since assuming office. He has spoken openly about issues such as democratic governance, economic reforms, and security challenges in Nigeria. His recall may raise questions about the next phase of US-Nigeria relations under President Trump’s leadership.
Under this policy, US diplomats are expected to push for trade deals, security arrangements, and political positions that clearly favour American interests. Any official seen as not fully aligned with this direction may be replaced.
In Nigeria, the development has drawn mixed reactions. Some observers see it as a routine diplomatic change that should not affect bilateral relations. Others believe it could signal a shift in how the US engages with Nigeria and Africa more broadly.
A former Nigerian diplomat said recalls like this are not unusual when a new administration takes over in Washington. According to him, what matters most is who replaces the recalled ambassador and what policy direction the new envoy brings.
He noted that until a new ambassador is appointed and confirmed by the US Senate, the American embassy in Abuja will likely be led by a chargé d’affaires, who will handle daily operations.
This situation is similar to what has happened in Nigeria’s own foreign service. In recent years, Nigeria recalled many of its ambassadors for review, leaving several missions without substantive heads for months.
The US State Department has stressed that the recalls do not mean a breakdown in relations with the affected countries. Officials insist that the embassies will continue to function normally and that diplomatic engagement will remain ongoing.
However, experts say the absence of a confirmed ambassador can slow down high-level discussions and decision-making, especially on sensitive political and economic matters.
For African countries, the recall of multiple ambassadors has renewed concerns about how the Trump administration views the continent. During his previous term, Trump was often criticised for what many saw as a lack of interest in Africa.
Still, US officials argue that the reshuffle is about policy alignment, not neglect. They say new ambassadors will eventually be appointed to reflect the administration’s priorities.