The United States Mission in Nigeria has announced the arrival of Rick Swart as the new Consul General in Lagos. Swart, a seasoned diplomat, arrived on Wednesday and will represent the U.S. government across 17 southern Nigerian states.
The announcement was made in a statement issued Friday by the Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos.
In his new role, Swart is expected to oversee initiatives aimed at expanding trade, strengthening bilateral ties, and advancing key U.S.-Nigeria priorities in the region. “I am honoured to serve in Nigeria,” Swart said. “I am excited about the opportunity to travel across the region, meet the people, experience the culture, and help advance our shared goals of making our two countries safer, stronger, and more prosperous.”
He takes over from JoEllen Gorg, who served as interim Consul General since November 2024 following the departure of Will Stevens.
Swart praised Gorg for her leadership, stating, “I thank JoEllen for her remarkable leadership and the outstanding work she has done in strengthening our partnership with the Nigerian people in this region.”
He also expressed his eagerness to collaborate with U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, and the embassy team in Abuja to further deepen U.S.-Nigeria cooperation.
Swart brings a wealth of diplomatic experience to his new post. He previously served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Chad and has held various roles in Congo, Burundi, Iraq, Geneva, London, Manila, and Dubai. Before joining the U.S. State Department in 2002, he served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mali.
