By: Joy Musa
A former diplomat and public affairs commentator, Elder Karofi B.Pharm, MSc, MPSN, has publicly criticized Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, over what he described as a “failure to deliver visible results” in the country’s foreign policy and international representation.
In a strongly worded opinion piece released on October 7, Karofi dismissed recent statements by Tuggar’s spokesperson, Alkasim Abdulkadir, as “spin” and accused the Ministry of deflecting genuine concerns with vague claims and bureaucratic language.
“The recent statement by Alkasim Abdulkadir… is nothing more than spin,” Karofi wrote. “Instead of addressing the substance of my open petition, it hides behind slogans, obscure reports, and inflated claims.”
Karofi directly challenged the Foreign Minister’s much-touted “4Ds Doctrine”—which reportedly stands for Democracy, Development, Diaspora, and Demography saying Nigerians are no longer interested in acronyms but in tangible outcomes.
“Our citizens still suffer neglect in embassies, our global image is under attack, and foreign policy remains rudderless,” he stated.
He also criticized the ministry’s reference to a study on religious persecution as insufficient and largely unseen by the public. He argued that Nigeria’s international reputation continues to be tarnished by frequent reports of insecurity, division, and ineffective diplomatic responses.
Karofi was particularly scathing about Nigeria’s inclusion as a “Partner Country” at the recent BRICS Summit, saying such milestones had not translated into improved livelihoods or better global perception for ordinary Nigerians.
“Bilateral agreements are routine, yet Nigerians abroad still queue endlessly at failing missions,” he lamented.
The statement ends with a call for accountability and leadership from Minister Tuggar, urging him to confront criticism directly rather than delegating to his spokesperson.
“No amount of press releases can cover for incompetence. Nigeria deserves a Foreign Minister who commands respect, not one who hides behind his spokesman.”
The letter was copied to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga, and presidential aide Abdulaziz Abdulaziz signaling Karofi’s intent to escalate the matter to the highest levels.
Ministry Yet to Respond
As of press time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had not issued a formal response to Karofi’s remarks. However, Abdulkadir’s earlier statement emphasized what he called “substantial progress” under Tuggar’s leadership, citing improved diplomatic engagement, Nigeria’s expanding international partnerships, and increased focus on diaspora affairs.
Political analysts say the exchange reflects a growing tension between government officials and public commentators over the real-world impact of Nigeria’s foreign policy strategies.
As the debate continues, observers note that the Ministry may face increasing pressure to adopt a more transparent, citizen-focused approach to diplomacy.
