FG Reaffirms Principled, Forward-Looking Diplomacy

By Zainab Bakare

Nigeria has restated its commitment to principled, constructive and forward-looking diplomacy at its 2026 New Year Reception with the Diplomatic Community in Abuja.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, stated this when he hosted members of the Diplomatic Corps and Heads of International Organisations accredited to Nigeria at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday.

The event was attended by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Dunoma  Ahmed, senior ministry officials, ambassadors, high commissioners and representatives of international organisations.

According to a statement by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the reception provided an opportunity to review Nigeria’s foreign policy priorities for the year ahead and strengthen engagement with international partners.

In his address, Ambassador Tuggar expressed appreciation for the enduring partnership between Nigeria and the international community, outlining three core pillars to guide Nigeria’s diplomacy in 2026: Strategic Autonomy, Regional Stability and Responsible Global Partnership.

Amid geopolitical recalibration and global uncertainty, he said Nigeria would continue to favour dialogue over division and cooperation over confrontation, while advancing economic diplomacy through sustained investment outreach and sector-focused partnerships in infrastructure, agriculture, energy, digital connectivity and industrial development.

He referenced the inaugural West Africa Economic Summit held on the margins of the ECOWAS @50 celebrations and cited improving macroeconomic indicators, including a unified foreign exchange regime, strengthened capital markets and modernised fiscal frameworks.

On democratic governance and regional stability, the minister highlighted Nigeria’s collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme under the Regional Partnership for Democracy initiative to reinforce electoral integrity and inclusive governance across West Africa and the Sahel.

He reiterated that security in the Sahel remains a strategic priority and sought support for Nigeria’s candidacies to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, the United Nations Human Rights Council, non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council for 2030, and the World Heritage Committee for 2029.

Ambassador Tuggar also announced that ambassadors-designate may commence official duties upon presenting copies of their Letters of Credence to the Chief of Protocol, pending formal presentation to the President and Vice President, and reaffirmed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains the appropriate channel of communication between the Diplomatic Community and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The reception concluded with the exchange of New Year greetings and informal interactions, as Nigeria signalled its intention to remain a confident and stabilising partner in 2026.