The role of a foreign minister is crucial in shaping a nation’s diplomacy, managing international relations, and representing the country’s interests on the global stage. However, recent actions by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, have raised concerns about his ability to effectively handle foreign policy. Rather than focusing on diplomatic initiatives, Tuggar has often been drawn into domestic political squabbles, making statements on foreign affairs that lack depth and logic.
One notable example is the ongoing dispute between Tuggar and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed. Instead of focusing on key foreign policy issues, Tuggar allowed personal and local political conflicts to spill over into his diplomatic responsibilities. His public responses, often framed by political tensions, detract from the critical issues his job description requires him to address. This focus on internal squabbles risks damaging the country’s international credibility and distracting from vital diplomatic efforts.
Such domestic conflicts can also prompt concern from international stakeholders, as they detract from important global diplomatic initiatives. When a foreign minister prioritizes local political battles, it can create the impression that national interests are being sacrificed for short-term political gain. This undermines the country’s credibility in negotiations and strains relations with foreign partners, as other nations may perceive Nigeria as politically unstable or distracted.
Tuggar’s response to concerns over the frequency of President Bola Tinubu’s foreign trips further highlights the lack of depth in his approach. Rather than addressing substantive issues like the large presidential entourage, Tuggar focused solely on the number of trips and the deals that are signed.
Nigerians, however, are more concerned about the number of people in the entourage that strain the exchequer coffers, especially given the country’s economic challenges.
Another significant misstep was Tuggar’s response to Professor Yusuf Banguara’s remarks about Nigeria’s acceptance into BRICS. Banguara had expressed concerns about Nigeria’s positioning in the global economic landscape, especially regarding BRICS. Instead of offering a thoughtful, strategic response, Tuggar dismissed these concerns in a manner that was overly simplistic and elementary for someone of his experience. His statement that Nigeria’s BRICS status depends on what former US President Donald Trump might do is not only unsubstantiated but also naïve. This rhetoric fails to address the complexity of international diplomacy and undermines the serious work required to position Nigeria effectively within global organizations.
Tuggar’s logic that Nigeria’s position in BRICS is contingent on external political factors, like Trump’s actions, reveals a troubling lack of strategic foresight. This approach reduces complex foreign policy issues to overly simplistic arguments, undermining Nigeria’s credibility as a global partner. It is concerning for a senior foreign official to focus on such short-sighted perspectives, rather than engaging in the thoughtful, long-term diplomatic planning needed to secure Nigeria’s interests internationally.
Instead of getting bogged down in domestic squabbles and offering superficial responses to critical international issues, Tuggar should focus on elevating Nigeria’s global standing. There are numerous opportunities to foster discussions on Nigeria’s foreign policy, including convening conferences and engaging think tanks like the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) and various political science departments in Nigerian universities. These institutions are equipped to analyze and recommend effective foreign policies. Tuggar could utilize these resources to chart a clear, strategic course for Nigeria’s international engagements.
Ultimately, the foreign minister’s role is to manage Nigeria’s foreign relations with expertise, tackle global challenges such as climate change, trade, and security, and strengthen diplomatic ties. Rather than distracting the public with internal political squabbles and ill-founded claims, Mr Minister Tuggar should lead in shaping Nigeria’s foreign policy in a way that influences the country’s place on the world stage for years to come.
