Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has urged Europe and Africa to reject isolationism and deepen cooperation founded on shared history, geography and mutual responsibility.
Delivering the keynote address at the 2026 Annual Conference of Spanish Ambassadors in Madrid, attended by 182 diplomats, Tuggar described Europe and Africa as interconnected regions whose political and economic futures are closely linked. Speaking on the theme, “Good Neighbourliness: Building Bridges or Building Walls,” he emphasised the Mediterranean’s historic role as a conduit for exchange rather than division.
The minister highlighted Africa’s contributions to global development, referencing the trans-Saharan gold trade of the 14th century and early Atlantic commerce in commodities such as sugar and palm oil. He argued that modern relations must acknowledge this shared past and proposed that Africa be recognised alongside Europe and Ibero-America as a central element of Spain’s broader historical identity.
On migration, Tuggar acknowledged its political sensitivity but cautioned against fear-driven and overly securitised responses. While reaffirming Nigeria’s opposition to irregular migration, he warned that security-heavy approaches in the Sahel often fuel instability, weaken local economies, empower trafficking networks and erode governance structures. He commended Spain’s circular migration schemes as a pragmatic and humane model consistent with long-standing seasonal labour practices in West Africa.
Highlighting bilateral cooperation, the minister cited Nigeria–Spain collaboration in migration management, police training and combating human trafficking, noting that engagement and development-focused partnerships deliver more sustainable outcomes than coercive measures.
Addressing development challenges, Tuggar said Africa’s limited share of global trade does not reflect its demographic significance. He criticised continued dependence on raw material exports in exchange for manufactured goods, calling for increased investment in value addition and development finance as pathways to shared prosperity and stability.
He also warned of the shrinking space for diplomacy amid rising militarisation and polarised domestic politics. Tuggar urged diplomats to prioritise dialogue, compromise and long-term solutions, particularly in responding to democratic backsliding and unconstitutional changes of government in parts of West Africa. He highlighted Nigeria’s leadership in launching a Regional Partnership for Democracy with the United Nations Development Programme to strengthen democratic resilience in ways that respect local contexts.
The foreign minister concluded by calling on Spain’s diplomatic corps to promote good neighbourliness within Europe and beyond, stressing that at a time when walls and withdrawal appear tempting, effective diplomacy lies in building bridges where shared interests already exist.
