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Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has shed light on the country’s foreign policy priorities, addressing key issues ranging from the constitutional foundation of its global engagements to challenges in ambassadorial appointments and regional dynamics within ECOWAS.
Speaking in an interview with Arise News, Tuggar reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to Africa’s unity, global diplomacy, and the pursuit of a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, while outlining the government’s approach to overcoming longstanding challenges. When asked about Nigeria’s policy priorities, Tuggar emphasised the constitutional foundation of the country’s foreign policy.
“The foreign policy objectives are enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Nigeria,” he stated. “That is not to do with any party manifesto or any individual agenda. It is something that is cast in the Constitution.”
He further explained, “First of all, our national interest, our place in Africa, and Africa’s unity and cooperation with other African countries, then our commitments on the international stage, treaty obligations, and economic considerations. These are the things we consider Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives.”
On the issue of over a year without appointed ambassadors for Nigeria’s more than 100 diplomatic missions worldwide, Tuggar clarified that the responsibility lies solely with the presidency.
“First of all, I’m not the one empowered to appoint ambassadors; it’s the presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and he would do so when he deems fit. It does not mean that our missions are not running or operating,” he explained.
He elaborated, “We have 109 missions consisting of embassies as well as consulates around the world. In all of these missions, you have diplomats of different ranks, also immigration officers, and so on.”
Tuggar highlighted the broader challenges faced by the current administration: “This administration has come in to face countless challenges in different sectors because of things that should have been done over the years, including economic reforms that have accumulated.”
When asked about the withdrawal of three countries from ECOWAS, Tuggar acknowledged the significance of the development but dismissed suggestions that it signals the end of the organization.
“It’s significant, but it doesn’t mean that’s the end of ECOWAS. You have to look at factors—what brought us to this point? It is not something that was created by Nigeria. It is not out of any action that Nigeria took. Nigeria wasn’t part of the G5 or Operation Barkhane. So, what we are trying to do now is to resolve those problems. Don’t forget Nigeria is not a French colony.”
Addressing the status of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and efforts against terrorism, Tuggar affirmed the ongoing collaboration among member states.
“The Multinational Joint Task Force continues. The collaboration continues. It simply means that we all contribute troops, and we all have the right of pursuit,” he said.
Commenting on the inauguration of Ghana’s president, Tuggar stressed the value of learning from neighboring democracies.
“We can learn from each other because we are both constitutional democracies. We operate where we are guided by constitutions that safeguard freedoms for our people, that spell out the rules of the game on how you arrive at having a government,” he remarked.
On Nigeria’s pursuit of a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council, Tuggar reaffirmed the country’s commitment to this goal.
“Absolutely. Whether we are working on it, you can see Nigeria’s advocacy when Nigeria lent its voice to that.
“The US came out and said, ‘We are fully in support of Africa getting two permanent seats in the United Nations Security Council.’ This impact is due to the diplomatic footwork of Nigeria, of course, along with other countries,” Tuggar said.
Boluwatife Enome
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