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By Lizzy Chirkpi
United States President Donald Trump has ordered the immediate recall of the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, in what Washington insiders describe as part of a major shake-up of America’s diplomatic postings one that comes amid growing visa-related tensions between both nations.
Senior officials at the US State Department confirmed that official notifications were dispatched from Washington DC on Wednesday, informing several ambassadors that their missions would formally conclude in January.
According to the officials, the Ambassadors have not been removed from the US Foreign Service. Instead, they are expected to report back to Washington for new assignments if they wish to continue serving under the Trump administration.
Nigeria is among 15 African countries included in the recall directive. Others listed are Algeria, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Gabon, Madagascar, Mauritius, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia and Uganda.
Africa accounts for the largest share of the more than two dozen countries affected by the global restructuring drive.
In the Asia–Pacific region, the United States recalled chiefs of mission from Fiji, Laos, the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and Vietnam. Ambassadors in Armenia, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Slovakia were pulled from Europe, while diplomatic envoys in Guatemala and Suriname were recalled across the Western Hemisphere.
State Department officials told the Guardian UK that notice of tenure termination was first delivered last week, reinforcing Wednesday’s directive that postings will officially end in January.
Although the ambassadors had survived the initial overhaul during the first months of Trump’s second terman early purge that mainly targeted political appointees Wednesday’s directive confirmed they would all vacate their posts.
The envoys now recalled were originally appointed by former US President Joe Biden and had remained in place after an initial reshuffle early in Trump’s return to power.
Ambassadors generally serve between three and four years. Mills, who assumed duty in Abuja following his confirmation in May 2023, has served less than two years.
His recall comes at a period of diplomatic unease between Washington and Abuja, driven largely by disagreements over US visa restrictions and rising security concerns. Despite these tensions, both governments have continued diplomatic engagements with the goal of maintaining and enhancing bilateral cooperation.