By: Joy Musa
A former diplomat and public affairs commentator, Elder Karofi B.Pharm, MSc, MPSN, has publicly criticized Nigeriaโs Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, over what he described as a โfailure to deliver visible resultsโ in the countryโs foreign policy and international representation.
In a strongly worded opinion piece released on October 7, Karofi dismissed recent statements by Tuggarโs spokesperson, Alkasim Abdulkadir, as โspinโ and accused the Ministry of deflecting genuine concerns with vague claims and bureaucratic language.
โThe recent statement by Alkasim Abdulkadir… is nothing more than spin,โ Karofi wrote. โInstead of addressing the substance of my open petition, it hides behind slogans, obscure reports, and inflated claims.โ
Karofi directly challenged the Foreign Ministerโs much-touted โ4Ds Doctrineโโwhich reportedly stands for Democracy, Development, Diaspora, and Demography saying Nigerians are no longer interested in acronyms but in tangible outcomes.
โOur citizens still suffer neglect in embassies, our global image is under attack, and foreign policy remains rudderless,โ he stated.
He also criticized the ministryโs reference to a study on religious persecution as insufficient and largely unseen by the public. He argued that Nigeriaโs international reputation continues to be tarnished by frequent reports of insecurity, division, and ineffective diplomatic responses.
Karofi was particularly scathing about Nigeriaโs inclusion as a โPartner Countryโ at the recent BRICS Summit, saying such milestones had not translated into improved livelihoods or better global perception for ordinary Nigerians.
โBilateral agreements are routine, yet Nigerians abroad still queue endlessly at failing missions,โ 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.
โNo amount of press releases can cover for incompetence. Nigeria deserves a Foreign Minister who commands respect, not one who hides behind his spokesman.โ
The letter was copied to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga, and presidential aide Abdulaziz Abdulaziz signaling Karofiโs 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 Karofiโs remarks. However, Abdulkadirโs earlier statement emphasized what he called โsubstantial progressโ under Tuggarโs leadership, citing improved diplomatic engagement, Nigeriaโs 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 Nigeriaโs 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.
