The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Maitama Tuggar on Thursday revealed his ministry’s various achievements in the last one year, including the facilitation of repatriation of $52.8 million by the U.S. government to Nigeria among other strategic economic and diplomatic milestones recorded.
He also has assured that his ministry has advanced the nation’s foreign policy by boosting confidence in the Nigerian passport such that no Nigerian can never be humiliated abroad anymore.
Ambassador Tuggar who disclosed this at the 2025 Ministerial Press briefing in Abuja, also disclosed that Nigeria’s Eurobond success achieved 300% oversubscription indicating strong global investor confidence.
He outlined the Ministry`s achievements to include “Robust citizen diplomacy ensuring respect and dignity for Nigerian citizens globally, active diplomatic interventions, advocating improved treatment of Nigerians internationally with every high-level visits and engagements.
“Deepened Diaspora engagement, greatly improving consular support efficiency, launched the Nigerians in Diaspora Database, which now exceeds 11,000 registrations.
This database strengthens engagement with the diaspora community and informs policy planning,” Amb. Tuggar noted.
Other achievements include the signing of MOU on solid minerals exploration, securing $2 billion investment on the Nigeria-Siemens Power Project as his ministry has formalized MOU on renewable energy between Union Bank of Nigeria and Germany’s DWS Group including $500 million MOU to export LNG to Germany.
The Minister said his ministry obtained $14 billion worth of investment commitments from Indian investors across multiple sectors while it’s bilateral ties with Kuwait resulted in the signing of MOUs to deepen cooperation.
For Netherlands, the ministry facilitated a €250 million investment to boost existing business in Nigeria just as it established a Joint Business Council (JBC) to enhance trade partnerships, investment opportunities, business networking, economic growth, food security and agricultural output growth with Qatar.
According to the Minister, due his diplomatic engagement, Russia has offered support in equipment, and training for Nigerian military personnel to enhance national and regional security while $500 million gas field licensing collaboration has been fine-tuned with Saudi Arabia.
In terms of economic diplomacy, he said his ministry has garnered investment commitments from Indian investors with the facilitation of $14 billion across multiple sectors while it has secured €250 million for Nigerian businesses from the Netherlands.
Other milestones are not limited to strategic MOUs signed with Germany, Saudi Arabia, China, and Equatorial Guinea, France, Cuba, Qatar, UK, India, Brazil towarding strengthening key sectors like power, oil & gas, agriculture, and infrastructure.
The Minister noted that some strategic global alliances and diplomatic milestones were; strengthened regional influence; chaired pivotal ECOWAS summits; addressed regional security and political stability; re-election of Ambassador Bankole Adeoye as Nigeria secured the re-election of its diplomat as AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, reinforcing its leadership in continental security.
“Nigeria retained its seat on the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) for another three years,” he said.
On the e ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS), a trade instrument established to promote regional economic integration and free trade among member states, the Minister disclosed that as of of 30th September 2024, the Unit has registered 965 Nigerian Companies with 11,160 products under the scheme.
Earlier, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Administration to upholding press freedom and creating a conducive environment for media practice in Nigeria.
“This administration believes that a free and responsible press is essential for good governance, transparency, and national development.
“I want to re-emphasize that President Tinubu, as a foremost democrat, is fully committed to protecting the constitutionally guaranteed rights of all Nigerians, and also encourages constructive criticism and healthy opposition because of their essential role in reinforcing and deepening our democratic framework.”
