U.S. Mission Welcomes New Consul General, Rick Swart to Nigeria

The United States Mission in Nigeria has announced the arrival of its new Consul General, Rick Swart, who has assumed duty at the U.S. Consulate in Lagos. Swart succeeds JoEllen Gorg, who held the position in an acting capacity following the departure of former Consul General, Will Stevens in November 2024. Swart, a career diplomat in the U.S. Foreign Service, is taking charge of diplomatic engagements in 17 southern states of Nigeria. In a statement issued by the U.S. Mission, he expressed his commitment to strengthening bilateral relations between the United States and Nigeria, focusing on trade, security, health, education, and cultural exchange. “I am honored to serve in Nigeria and I look forward to working to strengthen the bonds between our nations,” Swart stated. “The United States and Nigeria share a vision for a more prosperous, secure, and democratic future.” Swart brings over two decades of diplomatic experience. He most recently served as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Chad and has held postings in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Iraq, Switzerland, and Washington, D.C. Before joining the State Department in 2002, he worked in architecture and design and served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Mali. He said he was eager to travel across the southern region of Nigeria and deepen ties with communities, institutions, and officials. He also commended JoEllen Gorg for her leadership during the transition and affirmed his readiness to collaborate with Ambassador David Greene and the U.S. Embassy team in Abuja. The arrival of Rick Swart signals renewed momentum in U.S.–Nigeria relations, particularly in areas of mutual interest such as economic development, democratic governance, regional stability, and public diplomacy.