By Emmanuel Obisue
Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, on Thursday stated that under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, Nigeria has clearly defined its global role and interests through active international engagements to reposition Nigeria’s image globally.
The minister, who made this statement during the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing in Abuja, noted that the current administration has worked to amplify Nigeria’s voice “multilaterally and bilaterally,” with a clear intention to advance “national interest”.
Nigerian Pilot reports that Nigeria currently ranks 140th out of 180 countries in the Global Corruption Barometer, and 105th out of 147 countries in the 2025 World Happiness Report. Also, the Human Development Index, HDI, of the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, ranks Nigeria 157th out of 189 countries, with the most developed human capital ratio.
To address these and many other shortfalls, Tuggar said the government is working to renew global confidence in the Nigerian brand. “Imagine a Nigeria where every citizen walks into any embassy, any airport, any business negotiation – not with fear or intimidation, but with confidence,” he said. “Imagine a Nigeria whose passport opens doors, whose businesses lead global markets, and whose voice is not just heard, but respected. That Nigeria is no longer a dream,” he added.
Tuggar added that as part of efforts to increase national pride and respect for citizens globally, the Nigerian government championed humanitarian initiatives to evacuate African students caught in the Ukraine war and supported Palestinian children affected by the Israel-Hamas conflict.
He said Nigeria’s active engagement and participation at the G20 Summit, COP28, World Economic Forum, WEF, United Nations General Assembly, BRICS Summit, and the Berlin Global Dialogue have further raised the country’s international profile.
The minister said Nigeria has also strengthened its regional influence by playing a pivotal role in ECOWAS Summits to proffer solutions to regional insecurity and political instability.
Nigerian Pilot had reported that the Nigerian government recently signed a partnership with the Cuban government to strengthen diplomatic and cooperative ties.
