Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has resigned from his position, bringing an end to his tenure marked by efforts to reposition the country’s diplomatic engagements and strengthen international partnerships.
In his resignation letter, Tuggar expressed “profound gratitude” to Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve and contribute to the administration’s foreign policy direction. He noted that his time in office was guided by the President’s 4D foreign policy strategy, which shaped Nigeria’s diplomatic priorities during his tenure.
The outgoing minister also extended appreciation to the management and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as members of the diplomatic community, acknowledging their cooperation and support throughout his service.
During his time in office, Tuggar was credited with advancing people-centred diplomacy, particularly through humanitarian evacuations, scholarship facilitation, and sustained support for Nigerians abroad. His tenure also saw increased diaspora engagement, including the development of a structured Nigerians-in-Diaspora database aimed at broadening participation in national development.
He further strengthened Nigeria’s bilateral and multilateral relations through strategic engagements with key partners and alliances, particularly within the Global South. His stewardship also focused on regional security cooperation and the formation of the Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPD), while economic diplomacy initiatives positioned Nigeria as a more attractive destination for foreign investment, especially in the energy sector.
Tuggar’s tenure included efforts to resolve diplomatic disputes, leading to the release of detained Nigerians in foreign countries and the improvement of bilateral ties.
His resignation comes ahead of the March 31 deadline set for political office holders to submit their letters in compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act and directives from the presidency. The letter was submitted to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, where it was received by Abubakar Kana, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, on behalf of the SGF.
