The U.S. Mission in Nigeria has announced the arrival of its new Consul General to the 17 states in southern Nigeria, Rick Swart.
A statement by the US Mission Nigeria said Swart arrived on Wednesday.
Swart is responsible for leading and overseeing U.S government activities that deepen trade and investment ties, expand people-to-people connections, and advance the full range of priorities in the U S.-Nigeria bilateral relationship across the region.
Swart takes over from JoEllen Gorg, who led the Consulate General in an interim capacity over the last seven months.
The former Consul General, Will Stevens, completed his tour of duty in November 2024.
A career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Swart has held diverse diplomatic roles across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.
Most recently, he served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Chad. His diplomatic assignments included serving as Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., in the Republics of Chad, Congo, and Burundi; Deputy Consul General in Baghdad, Iraq; and Humanitarian Assistance Officer for Africa at the US Mission to the United Nations in Geneva.
Before joining the State Department in 2002, Swart worked in the private sector on architectural and design projects in Asia and Africa.
He also served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mali. Swart’s experience and expertise will likely be valuable assets in his new role as Consul General.
Swart takes over from JoEllen Gorg, who led the Consulate General in an interim capacity over the last seven months.
The former Consul General, Will Stevens, completed his tour of duty in November 2024. Swart thanked Gorg for her remarkable leadership and outstanding work in promoting the close partnership between the US and Nigeria.
As Consul General, Swart’s priorities will include deepening trade and investment ties, expanding people-to-people connections, and advancing the full range of priorities in the U.S.-Nigeria bilateral relationship.
He expressed his excitement about the opportunity to travel across the region, meet the people, and experience the culture while advancing shared goals.
“I am honored to serve 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,” Swart said.
