How to Safeguard Global Peace, Drive Governance – Tuggar By Umar Farouk Bala
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has called for a reawakening of global commitment to multilateralism and a deeper, more honest reflection on the root causes threatening global peace, governance, and stability.
Speaking at the European Union–African Union Ministerial Follow-Up Committee and the 3rd EU–AU Ministerial Meeting in Brussels, Tuggar acknowledged the EU’s sustained support for African-led initiatives, but stressed the need for more meaningful partnerships.
“It is at this point, when discussing peace, security and governance, that the foreign minister of a large African country is meant to outline for his hosts the progress we have made in tackling a host of complex issues – and the outstanding challenges that only closer cooperation can resolve,” he said.
He identified a cluster of urgent issues—ranging from the spread of small arms, climate change, and violent extremism to irregular migration and the fragility of democracy. While noting that these topics often dominate multilateral conversations, Tuggar cautioned against treating them as mere talking points.
“At this point, typically, we all nod and pledge further collective action. And we have indeed seen many positives,” he stated. “But I wonder if perhaps our focus on the symptoms of despair and conflict obscure our vision of the underlying cause and how best we manage the condition.”
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Warning that the global framework supporting peace and cooperation is increasingly fragile, Tuggar pointed to the disruptive roles of non-state actors, digital disinformation, and unregulated digital currencies as growing threats to both developed and developing nations.
Nevertheless, he reaffirmed Nigeria’s strong faith in multilateralism and emphasized the importance of forging strategic partnerships. He cited the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Nigeria’s participation in the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and the ECOWAS protocol on free movement as examples of regional tools that can serve Africa’s youth and economic stability.
“Nigeria believes that agencies survive only when they can adapt to circumstance,” he said, reiterating Nigeria’s longstanding calls for reforms at the United Nations, equitable trade systems, and fair access to global capital.
While lamenting that “little was done” in response to these calls, he observed that “into that emerging vacuum we now face even greater uncertainty.”
Tuggar also spotlighted the internal governance challenges across the continent, where rising public expectations and limited state capacity have led to disillusionment. He cautioned that this dynamic often sidelines meaningful policy debates and emboldens populist actors.
“While West Africa has witnessed several coups in recent years, the crisis of democracy is global,” he added.
Umar Farouk Bala is a serving NYSC corps member serving at PRNigeria Centre Abuja. He can be reached at: [email protected]
