By: Joy Musa
In times when Nigeria is in dire need of competent leadership and global diplomacy that commands respect, we find ourselves burdened by a Foreign Affairs Minister whose tenure has been marked by persistent failure and a damaging lack of strategic vision. Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, once a member of the House of Representatives, later Nigeria’s envoy to Germany, and now our chief diplomat, has repeatedly failed the Nigerian people—and worse, he appears to be working against the very administration he serves.
Tuggar’s tenure as Foreign Affairs Minister has seen Nigeria’s international standing diminish, regional influence wane, and global partnerships stagnate. Under his watch, Nigeria’s historically pivotal role in West Africa has been eroded. Our inability to broker peace or even remain influential in the Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali crises speaks volumes. These countries, once our regional allies, have turned their backs on ECOWAS and on Nigeria, choosing instead to align themselves in the newly formed Sahel Alliance. This shift is not just a failure of regional diplomacy—it is a geopolitical catastrophe, and Tuggar’s silence throughout it all was deafening.
His silence and inaction during major domestic crises such as the Rivers State constitutional impasse raised serious concerns. What is the role of a Foreign Minister who cannot articulate or defend the democratic principles Nigeria should project to the world? Diplomacy starts at home—and Tuggar has remained conveniently aloof in moments that demanded statesmanship.
Under his ministry, Nigeria has also endured a series of diplomatic embarrassments, including the shameful incident where visa applications of our own Service Chiefs were reportedly denied. This isn’t a mere bureaucratic error—it’s a stark symbol of how much respect we’ve lost internationally. How can our security leadership face such humiliation while the man responsible for managing our foreign relations remains mute?
Equally concerning is the inexplicable failure to appoint ambassadors to key foreign missions. Nearly two years into this administration, several embassies remain without ambassadors. Such lapses are not mere oversights—they are signs of either negligence or sabotage. Leaving Nigeria’s voice absent in key capitals around the world undermines President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s global agenda and cripples our diplomatic machinery.
And this isn’t new for Tuggar. As a legislator, he left little legacy. As ambassador to Germany, his tenure was unremarkable, marred by under-the-radar performance and missed opportunities. Now, as minister, he has managed to alienate allies, provoke confusion, and embarrass Nigeria on the global stage. Worse, his recent behavior during his visit to Bauchi—turning a national tour into a political drama—reflects a pattern of divisive politics and ego-driven posturing.
Contrast this with the quiet but transformative leadership of Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, another son of Bauchi, who has demonstrated results through investment in health systems, global partnerships, and local empowerment. Prof. Pate has brought in life-saving grants, built infrastructure, and provided appointments that advance human capital across Nigeria. Yet, while he works, others only seek to destroy.
Let it be clear: Nigeria cannot afford to have ministers who undermine national interests, act with indifference, and fail to carry out the duties entrusted to them. President Tinubu’s administration needs reformers, not dead weight. Tuggar’s continued presence in the cabinet is not only a liability; it is a threat to Nigeria’s diplomatic future.
Ambassador Tuggar must take responsibility for his failures. If he disagrees with this reality, let him speak up.
