U.S. Ambassador Swears in NEW USAID Mission Director For Nigeria
(Abuja: July 24, 2009)

Ambassador Sanders swears in Dr. Ray Kirkland as new USAID Nigeria Mission Director. July 24.  | FULL SIZE

U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria Robin Renée Sanders administered the oath of office Friday, July 24 to Dr. Ray Kirkland as the Director for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Nigeria. Kirkland is a career member of the USAID Senior Foreign Service and previously served as Mission Director for USAID’s Regional Services Center in Budapest, Hungary (covering Europe and Eurasia) and in Tanzania. Since July 2008, he has served as the AFRICOM Director of Programs.

As director for USAID’s Mission in Nigeria, Kirkland will oversee programs to help Nigerians strengthen their democratic institutions, promote economic growth and improve education and health services, including the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Nigeria is one of the largest USAID missions in the world. “Dr. Kirkland’s demonstrated leadership abilities, professional integrity, and analytical skills will be invaluable to him in USAID’s role in the U.S. Government’s dynamic and interagency team supporting our U.S.-Nigeria Framework for Partnership," Ambassador Sanders said.

Prior to joining USAID, Kirkland served as a U.N. advisor in Indonesia (1980-82). He also served in the U.S. Navy in Cuba, the Philippines, and South Vietnam as a Special Duty Officer, and holds the retired rank of Commander. Dr. Kirkland holds a BA degree in Anthropology from the University of New Mexico, an MA degree in Anthropology from the University of Tennessee, a post-graduate certificate in Social Anthropology from the University of Cambridge, England, and a Ph.D. in Demography from the Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.