Yusuf Tuggar, former minister of foreign affairs, has warned against Nigeria over-aligning with global powers, saying it could erode sovereignty and expose the country to unwanted conflicts.
Tuggar spoke on Monday while delivering the inaugural
lecture of the Institute of Diplomatic Practice, Culture and Language
Development at Achievers University, Owo, Ondo.
He said Nigeria’s strategic autonomy is the most viable path
in an increasingly fragmented global order.
“It is important to begin with a clarification. Strategic
autonomy is not new to Nigeria’s foreign policy. It is, in many respects, a
continuation of a long-standing tradition,” he said.
The former minister said what is now termed strategic
autonomy is merely “a refinement, adapted to the realities of a more complex,
fragmented, and multipolar world”.
He noted that Nigeria must remain deliberate in protecting
its sovereignty amid shifting global alliances.
“Strategic autonomy does not imply disengagement; on the
contrary, it requires active and sustained engagement,” Tuggar said.
“Countries which trade agency for security guarantees may
find themselves exposed and entangled in conflicts they cannot easily disengage
from.”
He pointed to ongoing rivalries and proxy conflicts across
regions, noting that global power contests are already reshaping Africa’s
economic and political landscape.
“Nigeria and Africa have challenges enough of their own. We
cannot afford to become collateral damage in competitions we did not design,”
he said.
Tuggar added that Nigeria’s foreign engagements must
continue to reflect its moral commitments, including peacekeeping and
democratic support, but insisted they
align with national priorities.
Listing reforms introduced during his tenure, Tuggar cited
the establishment of an artificial intelligence unit, the creation of a
regional partnership for democracy, and the convening of the West Africa
Economic Summit (WAES) as steps to enhance Nigeria’s global influence and
foresight, adding that he participated in 91 international engagements across
45 countries while in office.
The former minister said Nigeria must continue to balance
relationships with traditional allies while expanding its presence in emerging
global platforms such as BRICS, the G20 and other South-South cooperation
frameworks.
Oyesoji Aremu, acting vice-chancellor of Achievers
University, noted that the institute was established to advance knowledge in
diplomacy, culture and language through global collaboration.
He described the lecture as a significant milestone, saying
it aligned with the university’s vision of producing globally relevant scholars
and practitioners.
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