By Fortune Abang

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, has underscored the importance of Nigeria maintaining a central role in protecting and promoting Africa’s foreign policy in an increasingly uncertain global environment.

Tuggar delivered this message in his keynote address during the inaugural session of the Agora Policy Forum, with the theme, “Nigeria’s Foreign Policy at a Time of Global Uncertainty,” held in Abuja.The forum serves as a platform for dialogue on key policy issues critical to national and global development.

According to the minister, Nigeria’s foreign policy carries significant implications not only for the country and the African continent but also for the broader international system.

“We are gathered here at a time when the international order is undergoing significant transformation, geopolitical tensions, economic realignments, rising tariffs, and trade wars,” Tuggar stated.

He added, “Security threats, climate change, and technological disruptions are reshaping the global landscape in ways that demand strategic recalibration from all nations.

“Traditional assumptions about democracy and markets are increasingly being challenged by both state and non-state actors.”

As Africa’s most populous country and a major economic and diplomatic force, Tuggar said Nigeria must uphold its values, commitment to democratic freedoms, and embrace diversity while navigating global complexities with foresight, pragmatism, and resilience.

He lamented the rise in armed conflicts, economic inflation, the disruptive impact of new technologies, and climate change—all of which had disproportionately affected Africa in spite of the continent’s minimal contribution to global emissions.

The minister stressed that Nigeria’s foreign policy must remain dynamic, prioritise national interests, and actively engage with the international community to achieve its objectives.

“If diplomacy is war by other means, then the devastating consequences of conflict should at least partially reflect a failure of diplomacy,” he said.

“We must invest in diplomatic capacity and exhaust every available avenue, because the alternatives are far worse.

“It is our responsibility, as a regional power, to be a voice for Africa and contribute to shaping a modern, dynamic global order that reflects both our national and shared interests,” he noted.

Tuggar added that diplomacy must remain a fundamentally human process, even as global security increasingly leaned on technology and military hardware.

While strong defence capabilities can strengthen negotiation, he cautioned that force should only be a last resort.

“Sequencing is everything,” he stressed. “Lives and livelihoods depend on it.”

Tuggar reaffirmed Nigeria’s foreign policy as being rooted in Africa, supported by principles of non-alignment, economic diplomacy, and multilateralism.

He called for renewed efforts in pursuing strategic autonomy, regional stability, and sustainable growth through robust foreign policy engagement. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa