Nigeria must stop self-criticism, promote positive stories – Foreign Affairs minister

Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Nigeria's foreign affairs minister

Yusuf Tuggar, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, has called for stronger media responsibility, deeper public, private collaboration and a more positive national narrative as the country navigates economic and diplomatic challenges.

Tuggar made the remarks on Wednesday in Abuja at the BusinessDay Excellence in Public Service Awards and Lecture Series, themed “Shaping Nigeria’s Economic Future: Navigating Challenges, Unlocking Opportunities.”

The minister praised BusinessDay for providing what he described as a “visible bridge between business, government and society,” noting that credible journalism has become critical at a time when misinformation threatens policymaking and public trust.

Read also: Tuggar presents letters of credence to newly appointed Nigerian envoys

Tuggar warned that the rise of fake news and distorted narratives, especially on social media, has real consequences, including misinformed public debates and misguided policy responses.

“When truth becomes blurred, false narratives are created, framing is wrong and the solutions applied can easily be the wrong ones,” he said.

The minister cited his experience in diplomatic engagements, explaining that statements made casually online can escalate into serious issues abroad.

He stressed that Nigeria needs reliable platforms capable of correcting misinformation and guiding public understanding of government actions, economic reforms and regional integration.

Highlighting the role of the private sector in national development, Tuggar said government’s primary responsibility is to create a conducive environment for businesses to thrive.

However, he noted that many businesses fail to benefit from existing regional frameworks simply because they are unaware of them.

He referenced the West Africa Economic Summit, an initiative aimed at showcasing the achievements and regulatory frameworks of ECOWAS.

Tuggar revealed that even some major private-sector players were surprised to learn about mechanisms such as the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS), which allows registered companies to move goods duty-free within the region.

“There are legal and regulatory frameworks already in place that the private sector might not even be aware of.

“If you register your business and your products under the free liberalization scheme, you can be exempted from tariffs within the region”, he said.

Tuggar commended BusinessDay for its role in educating the business community on such opportunities, describing the outlet as a crucial partner in economic and governance reforms.

He also urged Nigerians to resist the growing culture of self-criticism and negative commentary about the country, especially online.

According to him, focusing solely on the nation’s problems undermines confidence and distracts from solutions.

“It’s time for us to put that aside and do what other countries do, push out the positive, focus on the positive,” he said.

The minister expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future, applauding citizens and institutions that remain committed to national progress despite challenges.

“I’m happy that so many of us remain unrelenting. We continue to believe in Nigeria,” Tuggar said, thanking BusinessDay for the platform and reaffirming the need for constructive national discourse.

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