The United States Mission in Nigeria has announced the arrival of Rick Swart as the new U.S. Consul General in Lagos.
Swart, a seasoned diplomat and career member of the U.S. Senior Foreign Service, officially assumed duties on July 16, taking over from JoEllen Gorg, who held the position in an acting capacity for the past seven months. He succeeds former Consul General Will Stevens, who concluded his assignment in November 2024.
In a statement released by the U.S. Mission, Swart expressed his enthusiasm about serving in Nigeria, emphasizing his commitment to strengthening bilateral ties between both nations.
“I am honored to serve in Nigeria. I am excited about the opportunity to travel across the region, meet the people, experience the culture, and advance the shared goals of making our two countries safer, stronger, and more prosperous,” he said.
As Consul General in Lagos, Swart is the senior U.S. Government representative for the 17 states across southern Nigeria. He will oversee a wide range of U.S. government activities, including efforts to boost trade and investment, foster people-to-people connections, and advance key areas of cooperation under the U.S.-Nigeria partnership.
Swart also commended his predecessor, saying, “I thank JoEllen for her remarkable leadership and the outstanding work she has done to promote our close partnership with the Nigerian people in the region.”
He further stated his intention to work closely with U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, David Greene Mills, and the embassy team in Abuja to deepen diplomatic engagement.
With over two decades of diplomatic service, Swart brings a wealth of experience to his new role. He previously served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Chad and held leadership roles in Chad, Congo, and Burundi as Chargé d’Affaires. His other diplomatic assignments include postings in Baghdad, Geneva, London, Manila, and Dubai, as well as key roles in Washington, D.C., focused on sub-Saharan Africa.
Before joining the U.S. State Department in 2002, Swart worked on architectural and design projects in Asia and Africa and also served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mali.
His appointment comes at a time when U.S.-Nigeria relations are focused on expanding economic collaboration, enhancing security cooperation, and supporting democratic governance across the region
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