The United States Mission in Nigeria has announced the arrival of Rick Swart as the new Consul General in Lagos, where he will oversee US activities across 17 southern states.
Swart, a career diplomat and senior member of the US Foreign Service, arrived in Lagos on Wednesday, according to a statement released on Friday.
As Consul General, Swart is tasked with deepening trade and investment ties, expanding people-to-people connections, and advancing US-Nigeria bilateral priorities in the southern region.
“I am honoured to serve in Nigeria,” Swart said. “I look forward to travelling across the region, meeting the people, experiencing the culture, and working toward our shared goals of making both countries safer, stronger, and more prosperous.”
He succeeds JoEllen Gorg, who served in an interim capacity for the past seven months following the departure of former Consul General Will Stevens in November 2024.
Before assuming his current role, Swart was Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Chad. His extensive diplomatic career includes roles as Chargé d’Affaires in Chad, Congo, and Burundi; Deputy Consul General in Baghdad, Iraq; and Humanitarian Assistance Officer for Africa at the US Mission to the United Nations in Geneva.
He has also served in London, Manila, Dubai, and Washington, D.C., where he focused on cross-cutting issues related to sub-Saharan Africa. Prior to joining the State Department in 2002, Swart worked in the private sector on architectural and design projects in Asia and Africa, and served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mali.
“I thank JoEllen for her remarkable leadership and commitment to strengthening our partnership with the Nigerian people,” Swart added. “I look forward to working closely with Ambassador Mills and the US Embassy team in Abuja to continue building on our shared objectives.”