By Gabriel Ameh
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, March 30, 2026, hosted a valedictory session in honour of the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, OON, in recognition of his distinguished service and contributions to Nigeria’s foreign policy.
The event, held in Abuja, brought together senior government officials, directors, staff of the Ministry, and key stakeholders within Nigeria’s foreign policy community.
In his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, PhD, described the session as both symbolic and significant. He noted that it provided an opportunity to reflect on the Minister’s impactful leadership and the progress recorded in advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives.
He highlighted Ambassador Tuggar’s contributions to strengthening bilateral and multilateral relations, promoting economic diplomacy, and enhancing Nigeria’s global visibility.
Goodwill messages from senior officials and colleagues emphasized the Minister’s visionary leadership, professionalism, and dedication to institutional development. Speakers praised his commitment to innovation, discipline, and excellence, as well as his efforts in advancing Nigeria’s strategic interests on the global stage.
In a citation delivered by the Honourable Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, key achievements under Tuggar’s leadership were highlighted. These include the articulation and implementation of the Four-D Foreign Policy Doctrine Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora alongside notable progress in economic diplomacy, multilateral engagement, institutional reforms, and citizen protection.
In his response, Ambassador Tuggar expressed appreciation to the leadership and staff of the Ministry for their support and professionalism throughout his tenure. He reaffirmed the critical role of diplomacy in national development and called for sustained institutional backing to enable the Ministry to effectively deliver on its mandate in an increasingly complex global environment.
