The United States has appointed Brandon Hudspeth as its new Consul General in Lagos, with the career diplomat expected to prioritise trade and investment, technology, innovation and creative-industry partnerships as he begins a three-year tenure covering 17 states in southern Nigeria.
Hudspeth succeeds Rick Swart, who retired from the US Foreign Service in July, and returns to Lagos for a second posting after previously serving as Political-Economic Section Chief at the US Consulate from 2020 to 2022.
His return comes as Nigeria and the United States seek to deepen commercial ties and expand private-sector opportunities across technology, creative industries and other growth sectors.
“I am honoured to return to Lagos as the U.S. Consul General. I know firsthand the strength of the U.S.-Nigeria partnership and the extraordinary energy, ingenuity, and entrepreneurial spirit that Nigerians and Americans share,”Hudspeth said.
The new consul general said his agenda would include reconnecting with existing partners and developing new relationships aimed at expanding trade and investment, driving innovation and strengthening collaboration in the technology and creative sectors.
He said these efforts would be focused on creating new opportunities capable of advancing shared prosperity between the two countries.
Hudspeth’s emphasis on trade, investment and innovation places economic diplomacy prominently on the agenda of the US Consulate General in Lagos.
The consulate serves as the senior US government representation across southern Nigeria, a region that includes Lagos, the country’s commercial hub, as well as major centres of technology, manufacturing, energy, agriculture and creative enterprise.
Hudspeth brings about two decades of diplomatic experience across Africa, Asia, Latin America and Washington to his new assignment.
Before returning to Nigeria, he served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Windhoek, Namibia.
His previous international assignments include 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 initiatives, counter-narcotics efforts and maritime security cooperation.
He previously served as 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 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.
His experience across political, economic, security and development portfolios gives the new consul general a broad policy background as he takes charge of the US mission’s engagement with southern Nigeria.
The emphasis on technology and creative industries is particularly significant for Lagos, where Nigeria’s startup ecosystem and entertainment industry have become increasingly important channels for international investment and cultural exports.
Hudspeth said he intended to work alongside Nigerians to strengthen collaboration in these sectors while creating new opportunities for both countries.
The agenda could also support broader efforts to connect Nigerian entrepreneurs with US businesses, investors and technology partners, while encouraging American companies to explore opportunities in the Nigerian market.
Beyond Lagos, his mandate covers 17 southern states, giving the consulate a wide platform for economic engagement with businesses, state governments, entrepreneurs and other private-sector stakeholders.
A native of Texas, 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 a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University, where he graduated with distinction.
His combination of economic training and diplomatic experience could shape the consulate’s approach to commercial engagement during his three-year tenure.
