The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has declared that Nigeria will not be pressured into aligning with global powers or taking sides in international rivalries, stressing that the country must pursue an independent foreign policy.
In a statement signed by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, on Sunday, Tuggar made this position clear while delivering a guest lecture at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos, on Friday.
He explained that Nigeria’s foreign policy in the 21st century must be anchored on strategic autonomy, guided by four pillars: democracy, demography, development, and diaspora.
The Minister warned against repeating the mistakes of the past, recalling how economic “bandwagoning” led to the adoption of the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP).
“Our idea is to avoid the booby trap of entangling alliances or ideological over-alignment, but rather to focus on issue-based relationships and partnerships of purpose,” Tuggar said.
He added that Nigeria’s population, internal market, and size provide it with unique advantages in navigating a changing global order.
He also said Nigeria’s embassies across the world are discharging their duties effectively despite the absence of substantive ambassadors, dismissing concerns that diplomatic missions were paralysed, adding that existing structures ensure continuity even without appointed envoys.
“All our embassies are functioning well. The chargé d’affaires in each mission is carrying out responsibilities effectively. The absence of ambassadors has not created a vacuum”, he said.
He explained that an ambassador is the head of mission, but the diplomatic chain of command includes deputies, counsellors and career officers who handle daily operations.
“Diplomacy is not a one-man show. The system is designed to cope with such situations,” he stated.
Tuggar noted that the appointment of ambassadors is strictly the president’s prerogative and will be made in due course.
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