Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has described the country’s democratic tradition as a vital stabilising force in West Africa, urging other nations in the sub-region to emulate Nigeria’s resilience amid rising political instability.
The minister made this assertion in a Democracy Day statement released by his spokesperson, Alkasim Abdulkadir. Tuggar emphasised that despite the wave of unconstitutional changes of government across West Africa, Nigeria has maintained a steady democratic trajectory anchored on regular elections, peaceful transfers of power, and respect for constitutional processes. “Nigeria stands as a beacon of hope and stability in the region,” he said. “Our democratic institutions may not be perfect, but they remain resilient and provide a model for sustainable governance.”
His comments come as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) continues efforts to resolve military takeovers in countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Niger. Tuggar reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional diplomacy, stressing that democratic governance must remain central to ECOWAS’ peace and conflict resolution agenda.
The minister also highlighted Nigeria’s historic role in promoting democracy in Africa, referencing its peacekeeping missions in Liberia and Sierra Leone, and its leadership in ECOWAS initiatives. He praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for taking steps towards economic recovery and political stability, asserting that these efforts would pave the way for a future of shared prosperity in Nigeria and beyond.
