BREAKING: Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar resigns as Nigeria’s Foreign Minister

Politics

ABUJA, NIGERIA, 30 March 2026 (NPA) — Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has resigned in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive that all appointees intending to contest elective positions in the forthcoming general elections must step down by 31 March 2026.

On Monday, Tuggar submitted his resignation letter to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. In the letter, he expressed profound gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve and contribute to the implementation of the President’s 4D foreign policy strategy as Nigeria’s guiding framework.

According to a statement signed by Alkasim Abdulkadir, Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy to Ambassador Tuggar, the former minister also thanked the management and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as members of the diplomatic community, for their cooperation and support during his tenure.

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The statement highlighted Tuggar’s achievements, including advancing people-centred diplomacy through humanitarian evacuations, scholarship facilitation, and sustained support for Nigerians abroad. His tenure also saw enhanced diaspora engagement, the development of a structured Nigerians-in-Diaspora database, and strengthened bilateral and multilateral relations, particularly with partners in the Global South.

He was credited with promoting regional and security cooperation, establishing the Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPD), and driving economic diplomacy by positioning Nigeria as an attractive destination for foreign investment, especially in the energy sector. Tuggar also facilitated diplomatic resolutions that secured the release of detained Nigerians abroad.

His resignation letter was received by Dr Abubakar Kana, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, ahead of the stipulated deadline.