Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has commended the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) as a cornerstone of national development and a critical platform for policy innovation and democratic dialogue.
Speaking at the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit (NES #31) in Abuja, Ambassador Tuggar praised the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and NESG for their sustained efforts in fostering constructive public-private partnerships that have significantly influenced Nigeria’s economic trajectory for over three decades.
Highlighting the summit’s theme, “The Reform Imperative: Building a Prosperous and Inclusive Nigeria by 2030,” Tuggar described it as both timely and visionary. He noted that Nigeria is currently undergoing a transformative phase where comprehensive reforms are essential to restoring macroeconomic stability and rebuilding investor confidence.
Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Tuggar emphasized that the administration is implementing bold, pragmatic, and people-centered reforms aimed at catalyzing growth, enhancing investor confidence, and revitalizing Nigeria’s productive capacity.
“Most importantly, these reforms are beginning to yield tangible improvements in the everyday lives of Nigerians,” the Minister stated.
Ambassador Tuggar underscored that Nigeria’s foreign policy must be firmly aligned with its economic ambitions. He reaffirmed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ commitment to advancing economic diplomacy by unlocking trade corridors, securing strategic partnerships, and attracting foreign investment.
Guided by Nigeria’s 4D Foreign Policy Doctrine—Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora the Ministry is focused on fostering purposeful partnerships rather than alliances driven by obligation.
“Nigeria is too significant a nation to engage in bandwagon diplomacy,” Tuggar affirmed. “Our foreign policy pursues strategic autonomy and issue-based relationships that prioritize the national interest.”
The Minister also highlighted the imperative of deepening regional cooperation. He cited the recently launched West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) as a pivotal initiative to accelerate cross-border industrialization, trade, and infrastructure development.
“Nigeria’s prosperity is intrinsically linked to the progress of West Africa,” he said. “Investing in regional value chains and harmonizing policies will enhance our collective resilience and competitiveness.”
Drawing lessons from emerging middle-power economies such as Mexico, Indonesia, Korea, Turkey, and Australia, as well as East Asia’s Flying Geese Paradigm of staggered industrialization, Tuggar expressed confidence in Nigeria’s capacity to lead Africa’s industrial transformation.
However, he cautioned that leadership must be earned through sound policies, productive investment, regional coordination, and institutional credibility.
Emphasizing the role of research and policy institutions, Tuggar called for strengthened collaboration to ensure that foreign policy and domestic reforms are informed by robust evidence and strategic foresight.
He lauded the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) and other think tanks for their critical role in translating research into actionable foreign policy.
“In an era of weaponized interdependence, investing in policy intelligence is paramount,” he said. “We must be smarter, faster, and more strategic in our approach.”
Reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to results-driven diplomacy, Tuggar stressed that Nigeria’s international engagements must deliver tangible benefits for its citizens whether through advancing trade under the AfCFTA, facilitating investment flows, supporting climate finance, or championing Africa’s voice on the global stage.
Concluding his remarks, the Minister expressed optimism that the NES #31 deliberations would move beyond dialogue to actionable reforms supported by shared responsibility among stakeholders.
“Our challenge is to translate dialogue into delivery,” he said. “By aligning ambition with implementation, Nigeria will not only reform but emerge as a regional and global leader, resonating deeply with its people.”
