On Friday, 12 September 2025, the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) hosted the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, at its headquarters in Lagos, as part of the Minister’s working visit to key agencies in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In his opening address, the Director-General of the Institute, Prof Eghosa Osaghae, highlighted the benefits of the Minister’s appointment, noting his strategic foresight in engaging different countries and his interactions with leading institutions, such as the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. He also proposed the establishment of an indigenous early warning system. Drawing from historical precedents, he explained how, in the past, indicators such as scarcity of salt were interpreted as signs of impending conflict. He further discussed the importance of harnessing Nigeria’s blue economy and outlined strategies for engaging international think tanks through structured dialogues. He emphasised the 4D doctrine—Democracy, Development, Diplomacy, and Diaspora—as the guiding framework for Nigeria’s external engagements.
His Excellency, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar commenced his address with a quote attributed to William Wallace:
“The study of international relations is not an abstract training of the mind, like mathematics.”
In his keynote address, “Policy Practice with Emerging Global Dynamics,” he underscored Nigeria’s quest for strategic autonomy in the 21st century, as hinged on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s foreign policy pillars of Democracy, Demography, Development and Diaspora. He utilised the event to introduce the Ministry’s Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPDProgramme), a platform for African nations to strengthen democratic institutions and shape democratic practices that reflect Nigeria’s history and cultures. He asserted that Africa must own its democratic journey as no one holds a patent on how democracy is expressed. He acknowledged NIIA’s role as being pivotal in providing the intellectual firepower to drive these ambitions and commended the Institute for its steadfast commitment to thought leadership while urging it to deepen synergy with the Foreign Service Academy to build the next generation of diplomats and policy innovators.
The Minister examined pressing global and regional issues, referencing insurgent groups such as ISWAP and Boko Haram, as well as local historical references. He stressed the need for strategic autonomy among African countries, citing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a pathway towards this goal. He further addressed questions on strengthening the private sector, leveraging Africa’s scale, and improving relations between the NIIA and the Foreign Service Academy (FSA). He extolled the Institute’s management and scholars for sustaining a tradition of intellectual excellence and for building meaningful partnerships with other institutions including the Nigeria Customs Service, the Armed Forces, the Department of State Services, and the private sector. He acknowledged that these collaborations have produced tangible outcomes, from a state-of-the-art training facilities, an Early Warning System and a modern library.
In responding to participants, the Minister highlighted several issues, including:
- The failure of the European Union (EU) in addressing certain African crises.
- The Sahel Strategy and the challenges fuelling instability in the region.
- How international organizations contribute to the criminalization of migration.
- The activities of groups such as Al Zawad seeking secession in Mali.
- The withdrawal of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso from ECOWAS.
- The historical role of NADECO in democratic struggles.
He addressed the fight against military regimes in the Sahel, noting the absence of diplomats at President Tinubu’s swearing-in ceremony, where only security agents were present. Quoting the adage, “To the man with the hammer, everything is a nail,” he cautioned against over-militarization of foreign relations. On the future of regional cooperation, the Minister posed key questions: Will the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) return to ECOWAS? Can Nigeria and Niger pursue a joint formation for security and development?
On strategic partnerships, the Minister affirmed Nigeria’s position as a partner of BRICS, stressing that statecraft is essential in navigating emerging multipolar realities. He also emphasized key areas, including, the Pan-African Payment System, strengthening AfCFTA frameworks, and building regional partnerships for democracy. In a humorous remark, he noted that Nigeria is the only country in the world with five living past Presidents coexisting in peace and tranquillity.
The familiarisation/working visit, which was anchored by the Acting Director of Studies, Assoc. Prof Joshua Bolarinwa, concluded with interactive discussions, contributions from participants, and a renewed commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s role in global affairs.