In this article, The Witness Nigeria examines the biography, family, career and life story of Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Full Name: Yusuf Maitama Tuggar
Date of Birth: 12 March 1967
State of Origin: Bauchi State.
Religion:
Yusuf Tuggar was born into a political family in Bauchi State (Gamawa), his father was the Organizing Secretary of the ruling Northern People’s Congress in the period before and after Nigerian Independence in 1960, who later became a Senator in the Second Nigerian Republic.
He is a Nigerian diplomat and politician who is the current Nigerian minister of foreign affairs. He served as the Nigerian Ambassador to Germany from 2017 to 2023. He was previously a member of the Nigerian House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011 representing Gamawa; and he ran twice for the office of the governor of Bauchi State.
Educational Career of Yusuf Tuggar
Yusuf Tuggar received a bachelor’s degree in international relations from the United States International University. He also attended the University of Bath, and has master’s degree from the University of Cambridge.
After graduating, he spent several years in the private sector. He was the chief executive officer of Nordic Oil and Gas Services, an energy consulting firm. Tuggar was also a contributor on political and economic opinions in Nigerian newspapers and magazines.
Professional Career of Yusuf Tuggar
Tuggar represented Gamawa from Bauchi State in the Nigerian House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011. He served as the Chairman of the House Committee on Public Procurement, regulating government spending in the oil and gas industry, education, health and water resources, the committee worked on separating the president’s cabinet from affairs of awarding contracts.
He also oversaw the creation of the National Council on Public Procurement, and was the member of the house committee that worked on Local content bill with a focus in oil and gas. He was also as a member of the house committees on foreign affairs and was the deputy chairman of the house on Public Petitions. He sponsored a bill on inhumane transport of livestock on the floor of the house.
In 2011, Tuggar ran for office of the Governor of Bauchi State as the candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change, Tuggar came in second after the election was marred with fraud and violence. In 2013, he joined the ruling All Progressives Congress and contested the governorship primaries coming in third.
In August 2017, Tuggar was appointed the Nigerian Ambassador to Germany by President Muhammadu Buhari. During his ambassadorship, Tuggar played a key role during the 23rd Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. He also facilitated the state visit of the German Chancellor Angela Merkel to Nigeria in August 2018.
In March 2020, Tuggar attended a meeting held with Siemens in Germany over projects in the Nigerian power sector, the chief of staff to the president Abba Kyari who tested positive for COVID-19. Tuggar ordered the closure of the embassy in Berlin, and himself was tested negative. Kyari later died on 17 April 2020.
As Ambassador, Tuggar initiated the repatriation of lost Benin artefacts from the German government leading to the return of 22 Benin Bronze looted artefacts valued at over 100 million pounds.
Tuggar completed his term as Ambassador to Germany on Monday, 21 August 2023 when he was sworn in as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The oath of office was administered by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola.
As at the time of this research, details of his net worth is yet to be released.
