Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has hailed Nigeria’s national statement delivered by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), describing it as bold, inclusive, and firmly anchored in Africa’s realities.
Tuggar said the address, presented on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, struck the right balance between national priorities and regional obligations, while projecting Nigeria as a strong advocate for fairness, reform, and inclusivity on the global stage.
“The statement was inspiring but also sobering. It reminded the world that Africa, particularly West Africa, is not just a recipient of global decisions but an active shaper of them. By calling for UN reform and equitable representation, Nigeria reaffirmed that Africa’s voice must be heard where global decisions are made,” Tuggar stated.
He praised the emphasis on peace and security, noting Nigeria’s leadership in stabilizing the Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel alongside ECOWAS partners. He also highlighted the country’s longstanding peacekeeping role, describing Nigeria as both “a guarantor of peace for others and a defender of peace at home.”
On economic issues, Tuggar said the call for a new financial architecture, debt justice, and local industrialization reflects Africa’s aspirations under ECOWAS and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“Nigeria is insisting that our minerals, our agriculture, and our human capital must serve our people first. This is the essence of economic diplomacy, central to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.
He further noted that Nigeria’s stance on climate change and digital inclusion outlined practical, people-centered solutions that prioritize vulnerable groups, women, and youth.
Tuggar concluded by describing the statement as “a sub-regional call to action,” stressing that Nigeria has reminded the world that “no country is safe until all are safe, and no region can prosper unless all its people are included.”
