U.S. mission welcomes new Consul General in Lagos

The United States Consulate General in Lagos has received its new Consul General, Brandon Hudspeth. He begins a three-year tenure as the senior U.S. government representative across the 17 states of southern Nigeria.

Hudspeth, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, succeeds Rick Swart, who retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in July. He is serving in Lagos for the second time, having been the Political-Economic Section Chief from 2020 to 2022.

'Extraordinary energy'

"I am honored 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."

Hudspeth said he looks forward to reconnecting with old friends, building new partnerships, and working alongside Nigerians to expand trade and investment, drive innovation, strengthen collaboration in technology and creative industries, and create opportunities that advance shared prosperity for both countries.

Two decades of diplomacy

Hudspeth brings two decades of diplomatic experience across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Washington. Most recently, he served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Windhoek, Namibia.

His earlier assignments include Director of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement at the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines, where he led civilian assistance programs supporting law enforcement, rule of law, counter-narcotics, and maritime security cooperation. He also served as Political-Economic Section Chief in Bamako, Mali; Nonimmigrant Visa Chief in Havana, Cuba; and Political-Military Officer in Kabul, Afghanistan.

In Washington, D.C., he served in the State Department's Operations Center, on the Secretariat Staff supporting the Secretary of State, and as a Desk Officer in the Bureau of African Affairs.

Education and background

A native of Texas, Hudspeth is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Morehouse College, where he received a Bachelor's in Political Science and Economics. He earned a Master of Public Policy from Harvard University's Kennedy School. He was also a Distinguished Graduate of the National Defense University, where he obtained a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy.

His appointment signals continued U.S. engagement with Nigeria at a time when trade and investment ties remain a key focus for both countries.