The United States Consulate General in Lagos has welcomed Brandon Hudspeth as its new Consul General, beginning a three-year assignment as the senior US government representative across states in southern Nigeria.
Hudspeth, a career member of the US Senior Foreign Service, succeeds Rick Swart, who retired from the US Foreign Service in July 2026.
The appointment also marks Hudspeth’s return to Lagos. He previously served as Political-Economic Section Chief at the US Consulate between 2020 and 2022, where he was involved in issues surrounding trade, governance and regional security.
Expressing his excitement about returning to Nigeria, Hudspeth said he was looking forward to strengthening the relationship between both countries.
“I am honored to return to Lagos as the US Consul General.”
He said his priorities would include reconnecting with existing partners, building new relationships and working with Nigerian stakeholders to expand trade and investment between Nigeria and the United States.
Hudspeth also highlighted technology and the creative industries as areas where both countries could deepen cooperation and create new economic opportunities.
“I look forward to working alongside Nigerians to drive innovation, strengthen collaboration in the technology and creative industries, and create new opportunities that advance shared prosperity for both countries.”
The new Consul General brings more than 20 years of diplomatic experience, having served in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Washington, D.C.
Before his Lagos appointment, Hudspeth served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Windhoek, Namibia. He previously worked in Manila, Philippines, where he directed US programmes focused on law enforcement, rule of law, counter-narcotics and maritime security cooperation.
His other diplomatic postings include Bamako, Mali; Havana, Cuba; and Kabul, Afghanistan. In Washington, he also served in the Department of State’s Operations Center, on the Secretariat Staff supporting the Secretary of State and as a Desk Officer in the Bureau of African Affairs.
Hudspeth is a native of Texas and a graduate of Morehouse College, where he studied Political Science and Economics. He also holds a Master of Public Policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School and a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University.
The US Consulate General in Lagos covers 17 states in southern Nigeria and is involved in advancing US interests in the region, including trade, consular services, education, health, security and cultural cooperation.
His return to Lagos comes as Nigeria and the United States continue efforts to deepen economic ties, investment, technology partnerships and people-to-people relations.
Source: US Consulate General in Lagos.
