Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has commended the national statement delivered by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, described it as both bold and inclusive.
Tuggar said the address was forward-looking and deeply rooted in Africa’s realities, striking a balance between Nigeria’s national priorities and regional obligations while projecting the country 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, and particularly West Africa, is not just a recipient of global decisions but an active shaper of them. By calling for UN reform and demanding equitable representation, Nigeria once again affirmed that Africa’s voice must be heard where decisions affecting humanity are taken,” Tuggar said.
On peace and security, the Minister highlighted Nigeria’s leading role in stabilizing the Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel alongside ECOWAS partners. He added that the country’s consistent contributions to peacekeeping missions demonstrate its dual role as “a guarantor of peace for others and a defender of peace at home.”
The Minister further noted that the economic priorities outlined in the UNGA statement such as calls for a new financial architecture, debt justice, and local industrialization align with 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, and it is central to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” Tuggar remarked.
On climate change and digital inclusion, he said the solutions outlined in the statement were practical and people-focused, with clear benefits for vulnerable groups, women, and youth.
Tuggar concluded that Nigeria’s statement should be seen as “a sub-regional call to action,” stressed that ECOWAS and the African Union remain vital partners in ensuring diplomacy delivers tangible results for citizens.
