Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has resigned from office, in compliance with a federal directive requiring political appointees seeking elective positions to step down.
His resignation was confirmed on Monday in a statement by his media aide, Alkasim Abdulkadir.
According to the statement, Tuggar submitted his resignation letter to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation following a directive by President Bola Tinubu mandating all intending aspirants for the 2027 elections to resign on or before 31 March 2026.
The move comes amid reports that Tuggar is preparing to contest the Bauchi State governorship election in 2027.
In his farewell message, the former minister expressed gratitude to the president for the opportunity to serve.
“Ambassador Tuggar also expressed his sincere appreciation to the management and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as members of the diplomatic community, for their cooperation and support throughout his tenure,” the statement reads.
The statement highlighted key achievements during his time in office, including humanitarian evacuations, support for Nigerians in the diaspora, and efforts to strengthen diplomatic relations.
It noted that his tenure saw “advancing people-centred diplomacy through humanitarian evacuations, scholarship facilitation, and sustained support for Nigerians abroad,” as well as “deepening bilateral and multilateral relations… especially in the global south.”
Tuggar’s exit adds to the growing list of political appointees expected to leave office ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle.
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