Rick Swart assumes office as new U.S. Consul General in Lagos
The United States Mission in Lagos has announced the arrival of Rick Swart as the new Consul General, officially taking over from JoEllen Gorg, who had served in an interim capacity for the past seven months.
Swart replaces Will Stevens, the immediate past Consul General, who concluded his tour of duty in November 2024.
According to a statement released by the Consulate on Friday, Swart will serve as the senior U.S. government representative across the 17 states of southern Nigeria. A seasoned diplomat and career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Swart has previously held assignments across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. He most recently served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Chad.
The Consulate noted that Swart will be responsible for overseeing U.S. government initiatives that promote trade and investment, foster cultural and people-to-people ties, and advance bilateral priorities in the U.S.-Nigeria relationship.
Speaking on his new role, Swart expressed enthusiasm for his assignment in Nigeria.
> “I am excited about the opportunity to travel across the region, meet the people, experience the culture, while advancing the shared goals of making our two countries safer, stronger, and more prosperous,” he said.
He also commended JoEllen Gorg for her leadership during the transition period, praising her efforts in strengthening U.S.-Nigeria relations.
> “I look forward to working closely with Ambassador Mills and the team at the U.S. Embassy in Abuja to further advance our shared objectives,” Swart added.
Swart’s diplomatic career includes stints as Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., in the Republics of Chad, Congo, and Burundi, as well as Deputy Consul General in Baghdad, Iraq. He also served as a Humanitarian Assistance Officer for Africa at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in Geneva.
Before joining the U.S. State Department in 2002, Swart worked in the private sector, managing architectural and design projects in Asia and Africa.
