In a significant move impacting international relations, United States President Donald Trump has ordered the immediate recall of Richard Mills, the US Ambassador to Nigeria. This action forms part of a broader diplomatic reshuffle affecting American missions across the globe.
Global Scale of the Diplomatic Recall
The recall of Ambassador Mills is not an isolated incident. Over two dozen countries worldwide have been affected by this sudden diplomatic reassessment ordered by the Trump administration. According to reports, the African continent bears the brunt of this shake-up.
Nigeria is listed among 15 African nations whose American envoys have been summoned back to Washington. The other affected countries on the continent include Algeria, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Gabon, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Madagascar, Mauritius, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, and Uganda.
The changes extend beyond Africa. In the Asia-Pacific region, the list includes Fiji, Laos, the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, and Vietnam. European nations such as Armenia, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Slovakia are also impacted, alongside Guatemala and Suriname in the Western Hemisphere.
Timing and Context of the Nigeria Recall
Ambassador Richard Mills was confirmed for his position in Nigeria as recently as May of last year. The notice for his departure, along with other envoys, was reportedly issued in the week leading up to December 22, 2025, with their tenures set to conclude in January.
This recall occurs during a period described as "frosty" in US-Nigeria relations, marked by ongoing visa disputes and shared security concerns. Ironically, the move comes as both nations were reportedly working to strengthen ties. Just last week, Ambassador Mills met with Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, to discuss areas of bilateral cooperation.
That meeting followed statements from US Congressman Riley Moore indicating that the two countries were close to finalizing a "strategic security framework" aimed at combating terrorism within Nigeria and the wider West African region.
Implications and Career Status of Recalled Envoys
Officials from the US State Department have clarified the nature of this recall. The ambassadors, who initially took up their posts during the preceding Biden administration and survived an earlier review, are not being dismissed from the foreign service.
Instead, they have been informed that they will be returning to Washington, D.C. The State Department confirmed that these diplomats may receive new assignments within the capital should they choose to accept them, thereby maintaining their careers within the US foreign service apparatus.
This large-scale recall signals a potential strategic recalibration of American diplomatic presence worldwide under President Trump's second term, with a pronounced focus on reassessing engagements across Africa and other key regions.
