eric paul whitaker (born january 24, 1957) is an american diplomat and career member of the senior foreign service who currently serves as the united states ambassador to niger. he was sworn in on december 15, 2017 and presented his credentials to president mahamadou issoufou on january 26, 2018. he has served as an american diplomat since 1990, including a tenure as the acting deputy assistant secretary for east africa and the sudans in the bureau of african affairs at the united states department of state. a two-time deputy chief of mission, he has served at u.s. embassies in ten african countries and was a peace corps volunteer in the philippines.