LAGOS, Nigeria — Brandon Hudspeth has assumed office as the new United States Consul General in Lagos.
The US Mission announced his arrival on Friday, August 14, 2026.
He will serve a three-year term as the senior US government representative across 17 states in southern Nigeria.
Hudspeth succeeds Rick Swart, who retired from the US Foreign Service in July.
“I am honoured to return to Lagos as the U.S. Consul General,” Hudspeth said.
“I know firsthand the strength of the U.S.-Nigeria partnership and the extraordinary energy, ingenuity, and entrepreneurial spirit that Nigerians and Americans share.”
The appointment marks Hudspeth’s second posting to Lagos.
He previously served as Political-Economic Section Chief at the US Consulate General from 2020 to 2022.
Hudspeth said his priorities would include expanding trade and investment and developing stronger relationships with Nigerian institutions and businesses.
He also identified technology and the creative industries as important areas for greater cooperation.
“I look forward to working alongside Nigerians to drive innovation, strengthen collaboration in the technology and creative industries, and create new opportunities that advance shared prosperity for both countries,” he said.
Hudspeth is a career member of the US Senior Foreign Service with more than two decades of diplomatic experience.
Before returning to Nigeria, he served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Windhoek, Namibia.
His previous assignments include diplomatic postings in the Philippines, Mali, Cuba and Afghanistan.
In Washington, he worked at the State Department’s Operations Center, on the Secretariat Staff supporting the Secretary of State and in the Bureau of African Affairs.
A Texas native, Hudspeth studied Political Science and Economics at Morehouse College.
He also holds a Master of Public Policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School and a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University.
His return places him at the head of a US diplomatic mission responsible for extensive engagement with southern Nigeria in areas including commerce, consular affairs, education, health, security and cultural exchange.
