Tuggar Reviews Diplomatic Progress, Sets New Priorities for Nigeria’s Foreign Service

As the month of October winds down, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has convened a strategic review meeting with heads of departments and agencies under the Ministry to assess progress on deliverables tied to the Ministerial Performance Bond (MPB). The meeting examined institutional performance across departments and missions, ongoing administrative reforms, and Nigeria’s evolving diplomatic priorities.

Ambassador Tuggar noted that the review followed his recent visits to key parastatals under the Ministry, aimed at ensuring full alignment with the Ministry’s 4D Doctrine — Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora. The discussion centred on measures to strengthen efficiency within the foreign service and advance Nigeria’s international presence.

Among the priorities identified were the rehabilitation of the Lagos Liaison Office, enhanced funding for the Foreign Service Academy in Badagry, and commendation for the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) over its innovative partnerships and infrastructure growth.

The Minister also reviewed ongoing initiatives, including the digitalisation of Ministry processes, timely submission of mission budgets, and the improvement of economic reporting from Nigeria’s missions abroad. He further confirmed that plans were underway to operationalise the Abuja Airport Lounge and establish a similar facility in Lagos to support diplomatic convenience and service delivery.

Tuggar disclosed that engagements with the Ministers of Finance and Budget & Economic Planning had set the stage for a 2026 budget that better reflects the needs of the foreign service and sustains Nigeria’s expanding global role. He also commended the Ministry’s role in Nigeria’s recent diplomatic success at the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), which produced Dr. Philip Mshelbila as Secretary-General and the Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo as President of the 2026 Ministerial Meeting.

Reaffirming that Nigeria’s foreign policy remains guided by the 4Ds, Tuggar underscored the country’s growing leadership in regional diplomacy, citing platforms such as the Regional Peace and Development (RPD) Programme and the West Africa Economic Summit (WAES). He also directed renewed focus on upcoming international elections, including Nigeria’s campaign for Dr. Olufemi Elias to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and other strategic global positions.

According to the Minister, these efforts reinforce Nigeria’s commitment to promoting democratic governance, stability, and economic resilience across West Africa while ensuring that the nation’s diplomatic machinery remains responsive to a rapidly changing world.