Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has hailed the national statement delivered by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing it as bold, inclusive, and a strong reflection of Africa’s realities in today’s global order. Tuggar emphasized that the address was not only forward-looking but also firmly grounded in the pressing needs of Nigeria, West Africa, and the wider African continent.
According to the Foreign Minister, the national statement struck an important balance between Nigeria’s domestic priorities and its obligations to regional and international partners, reaffirming the country’s position as a leading voice for fairness, reform, and inclusivity on the world stage. Tuggar noted that the speech resonated as both inspiring and sobering, reminding the international community that Africa is not a passive recipient of global decisions but an active participant and shaper of them. By strongly advocating for United Nations reform and equitable representation, Nigeria once again underlined the urgency of amplifying Africa’s voice in global decision-making processes that affect humanity at large.
On matters of peace and security, Tuggar commended the strong emphasis on shared responsibility, pointing out that Nigeria continues to stand at the frontline of regional stabilization efforts in partnership with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). He highlighted Nigeria’s unwavering contributions to peacekeeping missions, particularly in the Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel, stressing that the country serves as both a guarantor of peace abroad and a defender of peace at home. This dual role, he explained, underscores Nigeria’s longstanding reputation as a stabilizing force in Africa and beyond.
The Minister also underscored the economic priorities highlighted in the statement, which called for a new global financial architecture, debt justice, and support for local industrialization. He said these demands align perfectly with Africa’s collective aspirations under ECOWAS and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Tuggar stressed that Nigeria’s minerals, agriculture, and human capital must first serve its own people, adding that this focus on economic diplomacy is central to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and a key driver of inclusive growth and sustainable development.
Addressing global challenges such as climate change and digital inclusion, Tuggar praised the practicality and people-centered nature of the solutions proposed in the UNGA statement. He noted that the policies outlined placed special emphasis on vulnerable communities, women, and youth, ensuring that no one is left behind in the transition to a sustainable and technology-driven future. By prioritizing innovation, renewable energy, and access to digital opportunities, Nigeria demonstrated its commitment to building resilience while empowering its citizens to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Concluding his remarks, Ambassador Tuggar described Nigeria’s national statement at UNGA 80 as more than just a speech it was, in his words, “a sub-regional call to action.” He stressed that Nigeria has once again reminded the world that no nation can be secure until all nations are safe, and no region can truly prosper unless all its people are included in progress. He reaffirmed that ECOWAS and the African Union remain Nigeria’s natural partners in ensuring that diplomacy delivers tangible results for ordinary citizens across the continent.
With this bold and inclusive message delivered on the global stage, Tuggar affirmed that Nigeria has positioned itself as a champion of reform, equity, peace, and sustainable development, ensuring that the African perspective remains central to shaping the future of international relations.
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