U.S. Ambassador Richard Mills Ends Tour of Duty in Nigeria

Ambassador Richard Mills has officially concluded his assignment as the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, ending a tenure that lasted about 18 months at the helm of the U.S. Mission in Abuja.

During his time in Nigeria, Mills worked closely with Nigerian officials on strengthening diplomatic relations, expanding trade and investment cooperation, and supporting regional security efforts. His tenure coincided with key discussions on economic growth, anti-corruption measures, and security collaboration across West Africa.

The U.S. Mission confirmed that Mills’ departure is part of the normal diplomatic transition process. In the interim, Deputy Chief of Mission Keith Heffern has been appointed as Charge d’Affaires ad interim and will lead the mission until a new ambassador is appointed by the U.S. government.

Heffern’s appointment is intended to ensure continuity in diplomatic engagement, especially as both nations navigate shared concerns such as economic development, border security, and counterterrorism efforts.

The U.S. Mission also thanked Ambassador Mills for his service, describing his leadership as instrumental in reinforcing the long-standing partnership between the two countries.

As the U.S. awaits a new ambassadorial appointment, stakeholders in Nigeria and the United States will continue to watch closely for developments in bilateral cooperation and future diplomatic direction.