By Ameh Gabriel
Abuja, July 23, 2025 – Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to a dynamic foreign policy framework rooted in democracy, development, demography, and diaspora Nigeria’s 4Ds Strategy at the DICAN Diplomatic/Security International Conference 2025 held at the MFA Rotunda in Abuja.
Delivering his keynote address through his Special Adviser, Alkasin Abdul, Ambassador Tuggar emphasized that Nigeria’s foreign policy must be both adaptive and strategic in an era marked by global insecurity, disinformation, and technological disruption.
“Our response to today’s challenges lies in diplomacy backed by intelligence and amplified by responsible media,” the minister stated. “The 4Ds Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora remain the cornerstone of Nigeria’s global engagement.”
Tuggar called for international collaboration to combat the surge of disinformation and deepfake content, which he said was increasingly used to misrepresent Nigeria’s democratic processes and security operations.
Nigeria’s Tripod Approach: Diplomacy, Intelligence, Media
The Minister outlined a three-pronged approach to navigating modern global challenges:
Diplomacy as the frontline defense against strategic misperceptions;
Intelligence to ensure data-driven, anticipatory foreign policy;
Media engagement to project truth and maintain Nigeria’s narrative sovereignty.
Tuggar further called for:
Global support for developing countries in digital diplomacy training,
Reinforced multilateralism recognizing demographic realities,
And sustained support for Africa’s peace architecture, where Nigeria leads through ECOWAS and the African Union.
Delivering his goodwill message at the conference is Hon. Ndudi Godwin Elumelu the immediate Past Minority Leader, 9th National Assembly hailed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for anchoring Nigeria’s foreign strategy on democratic values.
“Nigeria’s voice abroad must reflect the democratic will of her people at home. The 4Ds Policy is a brilliant compass to navigate modern diplomacy while staying true to our national ethos,” he said.
Elumelu also emphasized the role of legislative diplomacy and urged greater alignment between domestic governance and foreign policy initiatives.
On his part, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Christopher Musa who was represented by Rear Admiral A.M. Haruna stated that the Nigerian Army commended the conference’s focus on misinformation and disinformation noting its growing impact on national security and civil-military relations.
“The military stands in full support of diplomatic initiatives that enhance strategic communication and public trust. Disinformation has become a battlefield of its own, and we must confront it with unity, truth, and resilience,” Rear Admiral Haruna conveyed on behalf of the COAS.
He reiterated the Armed Forces’ readiness to collaborate with the Ministry and media in ensuring accurate narratives in conflict reporting.
Speaking also is Henry Mbadiwe Registrar General/CEO, Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (CIPMN). In a poignant message, Mbadiwe urged all communicators diplomats, journalists, and public officials to wield the pen with integrity.
“The pen is mightier than the sword, but in an age of disinformation, the pen must never become the sword. Let us use it to shape, not to shatter, the fabric of our society,” he said.
He called for capacity building in media literacy and responsible content creation, especially among youth and in diaspora communities.
The DICAN Diplomatic/Security International Conference 2025 marked a defining moment for Nigeria’s global diplomacy. By integrating security intelligence with strategic communication and a people-driven foreign policy framework, Nigeria signals its readiness to lead on both regional and international stages.
With goodwill messages resonating across sectors, the event concluded with a call for stronger collaboration between state actors, civil society, and the media in building a secure, informed, and diplomatically engaged world.
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