Stephen M. Haykin Sworn In as USAID Mission Director

Abuja, Nigeria – Last Friday June 23, 2017, in a ceremony at the U.S. Embassy, Ambassador W. Stuart Symington presided over the swearing-in of Stephen M. Haykin as the new U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Mission Director for Nigeria.

In this capacity, Mr. Haykin will oversee all aspects of USAID/Nigeria’s development program, valued at nearly $500 million annually, in agriculture, democracy and governance, economic growth, education, power, and health, as well as USAID’s humanitarian response in Northeast Nigeria.

“The people of Nigeria will immeasurably benefit from Steve’s vast experience in leadership and management of USAID development activities,” Ambassador Symington said at the ceremony. “He is championing the Mission at a critical time for Nigeria and for the United States.”

In the course of a 30-year career as a USAID Foreign Service Officer, Mr. Haykin has experience in international economics, general development, and delivery of humanitarian assistance. He previously served as Mission Director in Georgia, where he managed activities in economic growth, democracy building, health, energy, and social development.

He has also served as Mission Director in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, and Madagascar.

Mr. Haykin has a bachelor’s degree from Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, and master’s degree in economics and foreign service from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. In 2002, he was awarded the Distinguished Honor Award by USAID.