Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, has officially resigned from the cabinet of President Bola Tinubu, confirming earlier reports of his planned exit ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The resignation was formally confirmed on Monday, March 30, 2026, by officials within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A spokesperson for the ministry stated that “the resignation of the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs is confirmed,” bringing an end to Tuggar’s tenure which began in August 2023.
Further confirmation came from aides close to the minister, who disclosed that Tuggar submitted his resignation letter to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in compliance with presidential directives.
Tuggar’s resignation is widely linked to his ambition to contest for the governorship seat in Bauchi State in the 2027 elections. Reports indicate he is expected to seek the ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Multiple sources confirmed that his exit aligns with a directive issued by President Tinubu, requiring all political appointees seeking elective office in 2027 to resign on or before March 31, 2026.
Appreciation and Legacy
In his resignation message, Tuggar expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve, as well as to staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and members of the diplomatic community for their support during his tenure.
During his time in office, Tuggar was credited with advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy agenda, including strengthening diplomatic ties, supporting Nigerians in the diaspora, and promoting people-centred diplomacy initiatives.
Before his appointment as minister, Tuggar served as Nigeria’s ambassador to Germany and previously represented his constituency in the House of Representatives.
His resignation marks one of the earliest major cabinet changes ahead of the 2027 election cycle, with more exits expected as political realignments begin to take shape across the country.
