Amb Yusuf Maitama Tuggar: Miles Away From An Underachiever
By Bashir Aliyu Limanci
My attention has been drawn to an article written by 5th columnists and attributed to a self-acclaimed foreign policy consultant, Farouq Bin Mamoud, in which he claimed Tuggar left Nigeria weaker and isolated in the community of nations.
I would not have bandied words responding to this recondite article, but to avoid misleading the public, it is necessary to further orientate Mr. Mamoud about the complexities of the Foreign Ministry and why Tuggar remains one of the most impactful foreign ministers in Nigeria’s diplomatic history.
Mr. Mamoud mischievously claimed Nigeria’s tough approach to the July 2023 coup in Niger Republic backfired and haunted Nigeria’s diplomatic standing.
Mr. Mamoud appeared to be under the delusion that if Nigeria had adopted a soft approach in the face of recurrent unconstitutional changes of government, it would have stopped Niger from exiting ECOWAS. It is a truism that ECOWAS principles of zero tolerance towards coups also helped Benin Republic from falling prey to renegade coup plotters who prioritised power over national interests. It is also important to clarify that Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger are sovereign states, and their detachment from regional and international treaties of association, including exiting ECOWAS, was not motivated solely by the ECOWAS approach. The former members are already paying heavy prices for exiting the regional body.
The laughable part of Mr. Mamoud’s article was the depiction of Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar’s tenure as one characterised by “polished speeches and photo-ops.” As a self-acclaimed expert on foreign policy, the writer, in his desperate attempt to lampoon the former minister, ended up ridiculing himself so much that even the circle he tried to impress may laugh at his inconsequential folly. Diplomacy is about maintaining trade corridors, protecting the welfare of citizens abroad, and defending national interests, as evidenced by the massive support Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar earned for Nigeria in its bid to secure a permanent seat at the UN Security Council.
Nigerian foreign policy under Yusuf Maitama Tuggar has been rejigged and dubbed the Tinubu Doctrine, in which the country prioritises democracy, demography, development, and the diaspora.
For the first time, Nigeria has attracted billions of dollars in foreign direct investment (FDI) between 2023 and 2026. Nigeria has also been at the forefront of deepening economic ties with countries such as Brazil, India, and China, leveraging its international standing and making the country more buoyant in the global scheme of things.
One of the key legacies Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar has bequeathed to Nigeria is the principle that Nigeria cannot be bullied by foreign powers into accepting offers that go against its national interests.
Through partnerships with countries such as the United States and France, alongside other international partners, Nigeria is making progress in the fight against terrorism, thanks to Yusuf Maitama Tuggar’s altruistic efforts in helping Nigeria procure modern equipment and secure manpower training to seamlessly execute anti-terrorism operations across the country.
Bashir Aliyu is a journalist based in Abuja
