US Ambassador Vacant in Nigeria and 116 Others

Nigeria stands among 117 countries without a Senate-confirmed United States ambassador, according to official records from the US Department of State.

NaijaChoice News obtained the latest “Ambassadorial Assignments Overseas” document published on April 8, 2026, by the Office of Presidential Appointments. The list shows the US embassy in Abuja operating without a substantive envoy, a situation affecting nations across Africa, Europe, Asia, the Americas and Oceania.

In Africa, the vacancies cut across key partners including Ghana, Kenya, Egypt, Senegal and Nigeria itself. Similar gaps appear in Europe with Germany, Ukraine and Russia listed, while Asia sees empty posts in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Indonesia. The Americas and Pacific island nations are also heavily impacted.

The development stems from a major diplomatic shake-up late last year. In December 2025, the Trump administration recalled nearly 30 career ambassadors and senior mission chiefs worldwide to realign US foreign policy with its “America First” priorities.

Former US Ambassador to Nigeria Richard Mills Jr left office on January 16, 2026. The embassy is now run by Charge d’Affaires Keith Heffern, a standard interim arrangement but one that leaves high-level representation vacant at a time of growing bilateral ties.

For Nigeria, the absence of a confirmed ambassador raises concerns over smooth coordination on security, trade and investment. The two countries collaborate closely on counter-terrorism, oil exports and democratic governance, areas where an ambassador often provides direct access to Washington.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has moved to fill Nigeria’s own diplomatic gaps. In March 2026, he approved postings including a new ambassador-designate to the United States, signalling Abuja’s readiness to strengthen relations despite the current US vacancy.

Analysts say such prolonged gaps, though not unusual during transitions, can slow decision-making on critical issues like AGOA renewal and military assistance. The US State Department has not issued a timeline for filling the Nigerian post.