National News
Nigeria, Niger rekindle strategic ties as foreign minister tuggar leads high-level mission to niamey
Nigeria, Niger rekindle strategic ties as foreign minister tuggar leads high-level mission to niamey
By: Zagazola Makama
In a significant diplomatic overture aimed at restoring trust and strengthening regional cooperation, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, is set to lead a high-level mission to the Republic of Niger on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, where he will deliver a special message from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the Head of State of Niger Republic.
The visit marks a major turning point in Nigeria–Niger relations, which became strained following the July 2023 coup in Niger. Tuggar, who is conveying President Tinubu’s goodwill message, is also expected to engage in deeper discussions with his Nigerien counterpart on a range of critical issues including security, regional trade, economic development, and cross-border collaboration.
The mission comes at a time of intense regional transformation. With Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso withdrawing from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a new security vacuum has emerged in the region. Yet, the planned engagement between Nigeria and Niger signals a clear intent to transcend these geopolitical shifts and reaffirm traditional bilateral ties anchored in mutual respect and shared interests.
The Nigerian delegation, composed of senior diplomats, policy advisers, and defence liaison officers, seeks to engage Nigerien authorities in charting a new course of strategic collaboration, with emphasis on mutual security, economic resilience, and people-centered diplomacy.
According to diplomatic sources, the Minister will be received by top government officials in Niamey, with a plan to have an audience with President Abdourahamane Tchiani, with whom he is expected to discuss ways of mending fences and restoring structured bilateral dialogue between Nigeria and Niger Republic.
For Niger, this diplomatic overture presents an opportunity to reconcile with a powerful neighbor and longtime ally. As Nigeria’s top diplomat, Tuggar’s visit symbolizes not only continuity in relations but a renewed offer of partnership on behalf of President Tinubu, one that could be instrumental in Niger’s reintegration into regional stability frameworks.
Strengthening security through diplomacy
Nigeria has consistently offered its non-kinetic counterterrorism experience to its Sahelian neighbors, and this visit will spotlight initiatives such as Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and other regional security initiatives aimed at fostering peace and stability and development of the two regions.
Nigeria’s foreign ministry believes that showcasing these strategies could inform Niger’s own efforts to stabilize its territory without depending solely on military action. The presence of top security policy advisers in the delegation underlines the inter-agency coordination Nigeria hopes to export as a regional model.
Reopening trade and people-to-people ties
Beyond security, the visit is equally strategic from an economic standpoint. The trade corridor linking Nigeria’s northern states Katsina, Sokoto, Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa with Niger’s Zinder and Maradi regions is vital for the movement of agricultural products, livestock, petroleum derivatives, and manufactured goods.
Increased insecurity, political fallout, and border closures have disrupted this trade flow, hurting thousands of informal and formal traders. Rebuilding trust and establishing security frameworks could lead to the reopening of border markets, establishment of joint border patrol mechanisms, and reactivation of cross-border infrastructure projects.
According to one of the diplomatic dellegate from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria’s approach remains one of “peaceful engagement, mutual respect, and shared progress.” The ministry is keen on ensuring that “no Sahelian country is left behind in the pursuit of African stability.”
He emphasized that this diplomatic engagement is not just about bilateral relations, it’s about reshaping regional security through collaboration. The recent visit of the African Economic and Security (AES) Bloc to Nigeria highlighted the country’s leadership in non-kinetic counterterrorism efforts. Building on that momentum, this mission to Niger is expected to consolidate partnerships forged outside traditional multilateral bodies like ECOWAS.
The Foreign Minister’s Advisory Group, which includes senior diplomats, strategic communication experts, and regional analysts, is expected to present a series of proposals to Nigerien authorities focused on border security, economic revitalization, and people-centered diplomacy.
Nigeria’s consistent leadership in the Sahel
Despite geopolitical turbulence, Nigeria has remained a stabilizing force in the Sahel. Its refusal to sever ties with Niger after the coup, and its ongoing humanitarian and development assistance to displaced populations, illustrates a deeper commitment to regional peace.
This visit reflects the recalibration of Nigerian diplomacy under Minister Tuggar’s leadership one that prioritizes quiet engagement over coercion, dialogue over division, and long-term partnerships over short-term political wins.
As the talks is set to unfold in Niamey, many in both countries are optimistic that this could mark a new era of cooperation one where borders are no longer lines of division, but bridges of unity and shared prosperity.
Zagazola Makama is a Counter-Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad Region.
Nigeria, Niger rekindle strategic ties as foreign minister tuggar leads high-level mission to niamey
National News
President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre
President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre
By: Bodunrin Kayode
President Bola Tinubu will today visit the Plateau state capital Jos to commiserate with residents who lost loved ones during the Palm Sunday shooting spree by criminals that took place at Angwa rukuba area of the city.
The President who was scheduled to visit Ogun state postponed his scheduled trip to Iperu, meant to flag off operations at the Gateway International Cargo Airport.
From the Plateau, the President is expected to travel to Lagos to observe Good Friday public holiday which ushers the beginning of the Easter public holiday which rounds up the lent period.
A state house release signed yesterday by the Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga noted that President Tinubu will travel to Ogun State for the commissioning of the Cargo Airport and the inauguration of two commercial aircrafts for the export and import of goods, aimed at boosting the state’s economic growth on Saturday April 4th.
“He will also inaugurate the new edifice of the Federal Operations Unit of the Nigerian Customs Service and its operational vehicles.
“He will return to Lagos to continue the Easter holiday, during which he is also expected to commission infrastructural projects undertaken by the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
“These projects include: the iconic Ojota/Opebi Link Bridge; the Lagos State Geographic Information System Building; the Multi-Agency Complex named after the President, and a school Complex.
“Before returning to Abuja, President Tinubu will visit Bayelsa State on April 10 to commission some of Governor Duoye Diri’s completed projects.” Said the release.
Sadly several residents lost their lives during the black Palm Sunday shooting spree which is suspected to have been carried out by auto bike riding bandits following after their patterns in the hinterlands of the state.
These bandits who had tormented, killed and destroyed homes of residences of the Jos north axis of the state for several years after September 7th 2001
This damnation let loose on innocent residents is resurfacing after hundreds of killings had occurred in the Jos North council area of the state from September 7th 2001 till date.
And because of the myriad of challenges creeping into the federal security system sub regionals have geared up to manage their on police and Intel services which would assist greatly because they are masters of their territories.
The Federal government is fast tracking the process of state police to ensure that each sub nationals take charge of their environment to ensure that they support the center in the maintenance of internal security.
President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre
National News
NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe
NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has said that in 2026, the length of the rainy season in Gombe State is expected to be between 107 and 138 days.
This is contained in the Agency’s 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) document, which Gayus Musa, the meteorological manager for Gombe State, made available to Our Correspondent in Gombe on Tuesday.
The total amount of rainfall across Gombe State in 2026 is predicted to be between 701 mm in the northern part of the state (Nafada) and 1089 mm in the South (Shongom).
The onset of the rainfall is expected to commence in the state on May 29 (Shongom) and cease by October 22 (Yamaltu/Deba).
Similarly, in the prediction, four local government areas of the state, namely: Nafada, Yamaltu/Deba, Dukku and Funakaye were likely to be impacted by a severe dry spell (21 days and above) between June and August.
Musa while speaking to Our Correspondent on the first rainfall experienced in some communities in Akko, Gombe and Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Areas of the state on Monday urged farmers to resist the temptation of early planting of crops.
He described the first rain as false onset, explaining that the rainfall was false because it would not support any germination as seeds planted with such rain would not survive.
“This (first rain) is a false onset because the precipitation cannot carry any germination and so any seed planted would not survive.
“So farmers should not engage themselves in planting but to prepare their farmlands while getting their seeds and other inputs ready,” he said.
Musa advised farmers in the state, to make use of the prediction in carrying out farming activities towards avoiding losses in view of the impact of climate change on agriculture.
He further urged relevant authorities in the state to take proactive measures towards tackling environmental issues associated with the rainy season.
NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe
National News
Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship
Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship
By: Michael Mike
The rumoured interest of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar in becoming the governor of Bauchi State come 2027 may have been confirmed he resigned on Monday to prepared ground for actualization of his political ambition.
The resignation was ahead of the deadline set for political appointees seeking elective positions in the forthcoming general elections.
In a resignation letter submitted to the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Tuggar expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve the country and contribute to the implementation of the administration’s Four-D foreign policy strategy.
The former minister also appreciated the management and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and members of the diplomatic community for their cooperation and support throughout his tenure.
During his time in office, Tuggar was credited with advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives through initiatives focused on people-centred diplomacy. These included humanitarian evacuations, facilitation of scholarships for Nigerians abroad, and sustained support for citizens in the diaspora.
His tenure also witnessed increased diaspora engagement, including efforts to develop a structured database of Nigerians living abroad aimed at strengthening their participation in national development.
In addition, Tuggar strengthened bilateral and multilateral relations through strategic engagements with traditional partners and regional alliances, particularly across the Global South. His leadership also promoted regional security cooperation and supported the formation of the Regional Partnership for Democracy initiative.
He also prioritised economic diplomacy, positioning Nigeria as an attractive destination for foreign investment, especially in the energy sector, while facilitating diplomatic interventions that secured the release of detained Nigerians in foreign countries and improved bilateral relations.
The resignation letter was received on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation by Dr. Abubakar Kana, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, ahead of the March thirty-first deadline directed by President Tinubu in line with provisions of the Electoral Act.
Tuggar’s resignation was conveyed in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir.
Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship
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