Brandon Hudspeth has assumed office as the new United States Consul General in Lagos, beginning a three-year tour as the senior US government representative in southern Nigeria.
Hudspeth succeeds Rick Swart, who retired from the US Foreign Service in July 2026. A career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Hudspeth is returning to Lagos for his second assignment in Nigeria after previously serving as Political-Economic Section Chief at the US Consulate General from 2020 to 2022.
‘Honoured to Return’
Welcoming his return to Nigeria, Hudspeth said he was honoured to serve again in Lagos and highlighted the longstanding relationship between the United States and Nigeria.
“I am honoured to return to Lagos as the US Consul General. I know firsthand the strength of the US-Nigeria partnership and the extraordinary energy, ingenuity, and entrepreneurial spirit that Nigerians and Americans share,” he said.
He said his priorities would include reconnecting with existing partners, building new relationships and working with Nigerian stakeholders to expand bilateral trade and investment.
Hudspeth also expressed his intention to promote innovation and strengthen cooperation in the technology and creative sectors.
“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,” he added.
More Than Two Decades in Diplomacy
Hudspeth brings more than 20 years of diplomatic experience spanning Africa, Asia, Latin America and Washington, D.C.
Before his Lagos appointment, he served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Windhoek, Namibia. He previously worked as Director of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement at the US Embassy in Manila, Philippines, where he oversaw US civilian assistance programmes covering law enforcement, rule of law, counter-narcotics and maritime security cooperation.
His other overseas assignments include Political-Economic Section Chief in Bamako, Mali; Nonimmigrant Visa Chief in Havana, Cuba; and Political-Military Officer in Kabul, Afghanistan.
In Washington, Hudspeth 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
Strong Academic Credentials
A native of Texas, Hudspeth is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Morehouse College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Economics.
He later obtained 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, where he was also recognised as a Distinguished Graduate.
The US Consulate General in Lagos oversees diplomatic engagement across 17 states in southern Nigeria and plays a key role in advancing American interests in the region, including trade and investment, consular services, educational exchange, health, security and cultural cooperation.
With Nigeria remaining a major US partner in Africa, Hudspeth’s return to Lagos comes at an important moment as both countries seek to strengthen economic ties, encourage innovation and deepen people-to-people connections.