Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar has resigned from Tinubu’s cabinet ahead of the 2027 elections to pursue Bauchi governorship.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has resigned from the cabinet of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Tuggar’s resignation is seen as a move to actualise his governorship ambition in Bauchi State, following the directive requiring political appointees seeking elective office to step down before the March 31, 2026 deadline.
In a resignation letter addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the former minister expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve and contribute to the administration’s Four-D foreign policy strategy.
He also appreciated the management and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as members of the diplomatic community, for their support during his tenure.
During his time in office, Tuggar advanced Nigeria’s foreign policy through initiatives focused on people-centred diplomacy, including humanitarian evacuations, scholarship facilitation for Nigerians abroad, and support for citizens in the diaspora.
His tenure also saw increased diaspora engagement, including efforts to develop a structured database of Nigerians abroad to strengthen their participation in national development.
Tuggar further strengthened bilateral and multilateral relations through strategic engagements with global partners, particularly within the Global South, while promoting regional security cooperation.
He also prioritised economic diplomacy, positioning Nigeria as an attractive investment destination, especially in the energy sector, and facilitating diplomatic interventions that secured the release of detained Nigerians abroad.
The resignation letter was received on behalf of the SGF by Abubakar Kana, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office.
His resignation was conveyed in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir.
