- Tuggar emphasized that achieving Tinubu’s 4Ds foreign policy (Democracy, Diaspora, Demography, and Development) would require a technology-driven foreign affairs ministry supported by appropriate bureaucratic structures
The Federal Government has announced plans to revamp the Foreign Affairs Ministry and reintroduce undersecretaries, aiming to fulfill the foreign policy objectives set forth by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Yusuf Tuggar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, highlighted this during his lecture titled “The Foreign Policy Agenda under the Tinubu Administration” at the annual event organized by the Association of Retired Career Ambassadors of Nigeria Foreign Policy in Abuja.
Tuggar emphasized that achieving Tinubu’s 4Ds foreign policy (Democracy, Diaspora, Demography, and Development) would require a technology-driven foreign affairs ministry supported by appropriate bureaucratic structures.
He said, “None of these (4Ds) will be possible without reforming our workplace- the ministry- into a technology-driven environment with the right bureaucracy to achieve our smart objectives.
“The reform is already in place and we are improving the working terms and conditions of the ministry’s staff.
“We also intend to bring back the system of undersecretaries in the New Year, with the return of several senior ambassadors.”
The minister added that Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives still exist and are entailed in the country’s constitution.
“With regards to Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives, they exist and remain immovable because they are enshrined in our constitution.
“They are: to promote and protect Nigeria’s national interest, to promote African integration and support African unity, promote international co-operation for the consolidation of universal peace and mutual respect among all nations and elimination of discrimination in all its manifestations.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda that catalogued President Bola Tinubu’s promises to Nigerians during the Presidential campaign further elucidated three objectives: to protect against all forms of external aggression; promote the best possible outcomes for Nigeria in all engagements with other nations; improve Nigeria’s standing and dignity among the comity of nations,” he said.
In his remarks, the President ARCAN, Amb. John Shinkaiye, stated that the formulation and execution of the foreign policy of the country is crucial as decisions made in this aspect of the Nation’s governance have far reaching implications for Nigeria, the West Africa region, the African continent, and even beyond.