Hudspeth takes over as US Consul General in Lagos

By Vera Anyagafu

The United States Consulate General in Lagos has announced the arrival of its new Consul General, Mr. Brandon Hudspeth, who officially begins a three-year tour as the senior US government representative across states in Nigeria.

Mr. Hudspeth, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, takes over from Consul General Rick Swart, who retired from the US Foreign Service in July 2026.

The appointment marks Hudspeth’s second posting to Lagos, after he previously served as Political-Economic Section Chief at the Consulate from 2020 to 2022, a period that deepened US engagement in trade, governance, and regional security.

‘HONORED TO RETURN’
Making his first statement from Lagos, Consul General Hudspeth said he was excited to be back to serve in Nigeria.

According to him, “I am honored 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 his priorities during his tenure will include reconnecting with long-standing partners, building new relationships, and working with Nigerian stakeholders to expand bilateral trade and investment.  

“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 also said.

TWO DECADES DIPLOMATIC EXPERIENCE
Consul General Hudspeth brings more than 20 years of diplomatic experience across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Washington, D.C.

Most recently, he served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Windhoek, Namibia.

Prior to that, he was Director of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement at the US Embassy in Manila, Philippines, where he oversaw US civilian assistance programs in 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, he 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.

ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
A native of Texas, Consul General Hudspeth is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Morehouse College, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Economics.  

He holds a Master of Public Policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School and is also a Distinguished Graduate of the National Defense University, where he obtained a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy.

The US Consulate General in Lagos covers 17 states in southern Nigeria and plays a central role in advancing US interests in the region, including commercial ties, consular services, educational exchange, and cooperation in health, security, and culture.

With Nigeria remaining one of the United States’ key partners in Africa, officials say Hudspeth’s return to Lagos comes at a pivotal time as both countries seek to deepen economic collaboration and people-to-people ties.

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