By James Adekunle
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, is at the center of a corruption storm following fresh allegations linking him to the misappropriation of funds under the multi-billion naira Siemens power deal and the controversial Kano-Maradi railway project.
Loading ...An independent civil society group, the Independent Corruption Reporting Coalition (ICRC), has raised serious concerns about Tuggar’s role during his tenure as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany under the Buhari-led administration. The group alleges that the Minister connived with insiders to embezzle over N781 billion from the Siemens electricity deal — a project initially signed in Berlin in partnership with the German government and Siemens AG, under the supervision of the late Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari.
Power Reform or Power Grab?
The Siemens Power Project was launched with great anticipation to fix Nigeria’s long-standing power challenges. However, recent revelations suggest the initiative may have been compromised from the outset. According to ICRC, the funds meant for the phased upgrade of Nigeria’s transmission and distribution infrastructure were funneled through shadow companies allegedly tied to political actors, with Tuggar’s name now surfacing prominently.
“Preliminary evidence shows that a significant portion of the allocated resources was diverted through intermediary firms with questionable ownership structures,” an ICRC spokesperson stated. “We are particularly alarmed by documents linking Mr. Tuggar to some of these entities.”
The Coalition has called for a public release of contract terms and financial disclosures related to the Siemens deal, as well as the list of firms involved in executing the contract phases.
Railway Contracts Under Scrutiny
In a related scandal, the ICRC also accuses Tuggar of using a personal company, allegedly based in Abuja, to facilitate the $1.9 billion Kano-Maradi railway project — a major infrastructure venture meant to connect Northern Nigeria with Niger Republic.
Despite the significance of the railway line, critics argue that it failed to address the needs of local communities, particularly in Bauchi State. Analysts are accusing Tuggar of neglecting his home constituency, especially the Katagum axis, by failing to push for the railway’s extension to Azare, a key commercial hub.
“His actions suggest self-interest trumped public service,” said political analyst Dr. Musa Lawal. “Beyond the potential financial impropriety, there’s a visible lack of foresight and commitment to regional development.”
Call for Transparency and Accountability
The ICRC has officially opened investigations into the Siemens and railway contracts and is urging President Bola Tinubu’s administration to cooperate fully. The group says it will be engaging both local and international anti-corruption agencies to trace funds, company ownerships, and execution timelines.
“This is not just about one man,” the ICRC emphasized. “This is about the credibility of government projects and the urgent need for transparency in how public contracts are awarded and executed.”
In response to these revelations, calls have grown louder for Tuggar to step aside while investigations continue, though no official response has been issued from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the time of filing this report.
Silence from the Top
Minister Tuggar, a seasoned diplomat and long-time public servant, has not released a public statement regarding the accusations. Attempts to reach his media team have so far been unsuccessful. Meanwhile, sources within the foreign affairs ministry have hinted at internal unrest and growing concern among staffers about the reputational damage this scandal may inflict.
If proven true, the allegations would not only taint Tuggar’s legacy but also cast a long shadow over one of the flagship projects of the Buhari administration and further erode public trust in large-scale infrastructure initiatives.
Conclusion
As the investigations unfold, Nigerians watch closely to see whether this will mark a turning point in the fight against high-level corruption or become yet another unresolved scandal. With the ICRC promising to release more findings in the coming weeks, the pressure is now on the Tinubu administration to act decisively.
In a country where corruption allegations are often buried by bureaucracy, this case could be a test of political will, transparency, and the integrity of democratic governance.
