Yusuf Maitama Tuggar Biography
Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, was born on March 12, 1967, in Udubo, Gamawa Local Government Area, Bauchi State, to the late Senator Abubakar Tuggar.
Before his appointment, he served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany from June 2017 to August 2023.
His Excellency Ambassador Tuggar was sworn in as Minister of Foreign Affairs by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on August 21, 2023.
He is a seasoned diplomat who has served the nation in a variety of roles. He is also a prosperous businessman, a philanthropist, and a wise politician.
From 2007 until 2011, he represented the Gamawa Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. He made a significant contribution to a number of House of Representatives committees.
House committees on foreign affairs, public procurement, agriculture, legislative budgeting, petroleum (upstream), labor, public petitions, and the interior were among them.
H. E. Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar OON Wikipedia
| Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
|---|---|
Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 21 August 2023 | |
| President | Bola Tinubu |
| Preceded by | Geoffrey Onyeama |
| Nigerian Ambassador to Germany | |
| In office September 2017 – 21 August 2023 | |
| President | Muhammadu Buhari Bola Tinubu |
| Member of the House of Representatives of Nigeria from Bauchi | |
| In office 5 June 2007 – 6 June 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Sulaiman Mohammed Nazif |
| Succeeded by | Ahmed Gololo |
| Constituency | Gamawa |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 12 March 1967 North-Eastern State, Nigeria |
| Political party | All Progressives Congress (2013–present) |
| Other political affiliations |
|
| Parent | Abubakar Tuggar (father) |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation |
|
H. E. Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar OON Family
Tuggar was born into a political family in Bauchi State (Gamawa), where his father, Abubakar Tuggar, served as Publicity Secretary for the ruling Northern People’s Congress before and during the First Republic.
During the Second Republic, he served as a member of the National Party of Nigeria in the House of Representatives, representing Gamawa.
Check Out: Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi Biography | Education, Net Worth, Political Career, Personal Life
H. E. Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar OON Education
The Honourable Minister equally has an impressive educational background. He has a Master’s Degree in International Relations from the prestigious University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.
He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from the United States International University in San Diego, United States of America.
He did his advanced-level studies at Saint Bede’s School in East Sussex, England. He had his secondary and primary school education in Kwara and Kano States of Nigeria, respectively.
H. E. Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar OON Personal Life
Ambassador Tuggar has a happy marriage and kids.
H. E. Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar OON Early Career
After graduation, Tuggar worked in the private sector for several years. He was the CEO of Nordic Oil and Gas Services, an energy consultancy organization. Tuggar has contributed political and economic thoughts to Nigerian publications and periodicals.
H. E. Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar OON Political Career
Tuggar served in the Nigerian House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011, representing Gamawa, Bauchi State.
He chaired the House Committee on Public Procurement, which regulates government spending in the oil and gas industry, education, health, and water resources.
The committee tried to separate the president’s cabinet from contract-awarding matters.
He also managed the formation of the National Council on Public Procurement and was on the House Committee that worked on the Local Content Bill, which focused on oil and gas.
He also served on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and as the House Public Petitions Committee’s Deputy Chairman. He sponsored a bill on the inhumane transportation of cattle on the floor of the House.
Check Out: Abubakar Kyari Biography | Education, Net Worth, Political Career, Personal Life
H. E. Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar OON Governorship elections
Tuggar campaigned for Governor of Bauchi State as the Congress for Progressive Change candidate in 2011, finishing second in a race marked by fraud and violence.
In 2013, he joined the ruling All Progressives Congress and contested the governorship primary, placing third.
H. E. Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar OON Ambassador to Germany
President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Tuggar as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany in August of 2017.
Tuggar was an important participant at the 23rd Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change while serving as ambassador.
He also coordinated the state visit of German Chancellor Angela Merkel to Nigeria in August of 2018.
Tuggar attended a meeting with Siemens in Germany in March 2020 to discuss projects in the Nigerian power sector, as did President Abba Kyari’s chief of staff, who tested positive for COVID-19.
Tuggar ordered the shutdown of the Berlin embassy, but he tested negative. Kyari later died on April 17, 2020.
As Ambassador, Tuggar initiated the repatriation of missing Benin antiquities from the German government, resulting in the recovery of 22 Benin Bronze plundered objects valued at more than 100 million pounds.
Tuggar’s time as Ambassador to Germany ended on Monday, August 21, 2023, when he was sworn in as Minister of Foreign Affairs. The oath of office was delivered by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola.
Check Out: Barr. Bello Muhammad Goronyo ESQ Biography | Education, Net Worth, Political Career, Personal Life
H. E. Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar OON Social Media
Instagram: @yusufmaitamatuggar
Twitter: @YusufTuggar
Facebook: Yusuf Maitama Tuggar
H. E. Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar OON Instagram
FAQs
1. Who is Yusuf Maitama Tuggar?
Yusuf Maitama Tuggar is a Nigerian politician, diplomat, and current Minister of Foreign Affairs. He is a former Ambassador to Germany (2017–2023) and Member of the House of Representatives (2007–2011).
2. When and where was Yusuf Maitama Tuggar born?
He was born on March 12, 1967, in the North-Eastern State of Nigeria, now part of Bauchi State.
3. What is his educational background?
He holds a BSc in International Relations from the United States International University (San Diego), a Master’s in International Security from the University of Bath, and another Master’s in International Relations from the University of Cambridge.
4. What political party is Yusuf Tuggar affiliated with?
He is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Before APC, he was associated with the CPC and ANPP.
5. What was his major achievement as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany?
He oversaw the repatriation of 22 Benin Bronzes (valued over £100 million) and facilitated Chancellor Angela Merkel’s 2018 visit to Nigeria. He also played a role in climate diplomacy and COVID-19 crisis management.
6. What role did he play in the Nigerian National Assembly?
He served from 2007 to 2011 as a representative of Gamawa Federal Constituency, chaired the Public Procurement Committee, and participated in key legislative areas like foreign affairs, agriculture, petroleum, and public budgeting.
7. Has he contested for governorship?
Yes, he ran for Bauchi State Governor twice, in 2011 (CPC) and 2013 (APC primaries), finishing second and third, respectively.
8. When was he appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs?
He was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and sworn in on August 21, 2023, taking over from Geoffrey Onyeama.
9. What awards or honors has he received?
Yusuf Maitama Tuggar is a recipient of the Order of the Niger (OON) for his contributions to national development and diplomacy.
10. What is his professional background outside politics?
He worked in the oil and gas sector, serving as CEO of Nordic Oil and Gas Services, and offered consultancy on offshore logistics before entering full-time politics.
In Conclusion
Yusuf Maitama Tuggar (born March 12, 1967) is a seasoned Nigerian diplomat, politician, and international relations expert whose career spans legislative service, foreign diplomacy, and public policy.
From representing Gamawa Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives (2007–2011) to serving as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany (2017–2023) and now as the Minister of Foreign Affairs (since August 21, 2023), Tuggar has consistently championed reforms in governance, diplomacy, and procurement.
His deep academic grounding, studied in San Diego, Bath, and Cambridge, complements his global outlook.
Notably, he facilitated the return of the Benin Bronzes and strengthened Nigeria-Germany relations.
A committed member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and recipient of the Order of the Niger (OON), Tuggar continues to shape Nigeria’s international standing with vision, experience, and integrity.
Discover more from Labaran Yau
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
