US Names Brandon Hudspeth New Consul General in Lagos

US Names Brandon Hudspeth New Consul General in Lagos

August 15, 2026
By Mintesinot Nigussie

The United States has appointed career diplomat Brandon Hudspeth as its new consul general in Lagos, giving him responsibility for US government engagement across 17 states in southern Nigeria.

Hudspeth will serve a three-year term, succeeding Rick Swart, who retired from the US Foreign Service in July. The new consul general is returning to Lagos, where he previously served as chief of the Political-Economic Section from 2020 to 2022.

Hudspeth said he would focus on strengthening the US-Nigeria relationship, including expanding trade and investment, supporting innovation and deepening cooperation in technology and the creative industries.

"I am honoured to return to Lagos as the US Consul General," Hudspeth said, adding that he planned to reconnect with former contacts while building new partnerships between Nigerians and Americans.

Hudspeth brings about two decades of diplomatic experience spanning Africa, Asia, Latin America and Washington. His most recent posting was as deputy chief of mission at the US Embassy in Windhoek, Namibia.

His earlier assignments included director of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement at the US Embassy in the Philippines, where he led US civilian assistance programmes covering law enforcement, rule of law, counter-narcotics and maritime security cooperation.

He has also served as political-economic section chief in Bamako, Mali; nonimmigrant visa chief in Havana, Cuba; and political-military officer in Kabul, Afghanistan.

In Washington, Hudspeth served at the State Department's Operations Center, on the Secretariat Staff supporting the Secretary of State and as a desk officer in the Bureau of African Affairs.

A Texas native, Hudspeth holds a bachelor's degree in political science and economics from Morehouse College, a Master of Public Policy from Harvard University's Kennedy School and a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University.

Source: FSX Business News