Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has resigned from the cabinet of President Bola Tinubu, in a move linked to his political ambition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The resignation, which was confirmed on Monday, comes just hours before the deadline set by the President for all political appointees seeking elective offices to step down from their positions.
A former presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad, disclosed the development in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating that Tuggar had submitted his resignation and would formally bid farewell at the next meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
According to Ahmad, the minister is expected to pursue the governorship seat in Bauchi State in the 2027 elections.
“The Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, will bid farewell to the Federal Executive Council today as he steps down from his position to pursue the governorship of Bauchi State,” Ahmad wrote.
As of the time of filing this report, Tuggar has not released an official statement to personally confirm his resignation or outline his next political steps. However, multiple sources within government circles say the move is directly connected to his ambition to return to local politics in Bauchi State.
President Tinubu had earlier directed all members of his cabinet and other political appointees with intentions to contest in the 2027 general elections to resign on or before March 31, 2026.
The directive is seen as part of efforts to ensure fairness in the political process and prevent the use of public office for campaign advantages. It also aligns with Nigeria’s electoral guidelines, which discourage sitting appointees from holding government positions while pursuing elective offices.
Tuggar’s resignation appears to be the first major compliance with this directive, signaling that more exits from the cabinet could follow in the coming days.
Yusuf Tuggar, a seasoned diplomat and politician, was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs by President Tinubu in 2023. Before his appointment, he served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany, where he played a key role in strengthening diplomatic and economic ties between both countries.
Tuggar is also a former member of the House of Representatives, representing a constituency in Bauchi State. His experience in both legislative and diplomatic roles has made him a familiar figure in Nigeria’s political space.
Bauchi State, located in Nigeria’s North-East region, remains a key political battleground, with strong competition expected among major political parties ahead of the 2027 elections.
Tuggar’s exit may create a temporary gap in Nigeria’s foreign policy leadership, especially at a time when the country is engaging with global partners on economic growth, security, and regional cooperation.
As Foreign Affairs Minister, Tuggar was involved in several international engagements, representing Nigeria in meetings with foreign governments and international organisations.
His resignation means that President Tinubu may soon appoint a replacement or assign the role in an acting capacity to ensure continuity in the ministry’s operations.
While there has been no official reaction yet from the Presidency or the Federal Executive Council, political observers expect more responses once the resignation letter is formally presented at the FEC meeting.
Within Bauchi State, Tuggar’s expected entry into the governorship race is likely to intensify political activities, as aspirants begin to position themselves ahead of party primaries.
With less than 24 hours to the March 31 deadline, attention is now on other members of the cabinet who may be planning to contest in the 2027 elections.
Tuggar’s move marks an early sign that the political season is gradually taking shape, even though the elections are still more than a year away.
For now, Nigerians await an official statement from the former minister, which is expected to provide clarity on his next steps and vision for Bauchi State.
As the situation develops, the coming days may see more changes within the Federal Executive Council, as the Tinubu administration balances governance with the growing political ambitions of its appointees.