Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, rejected the idea of hiring foreign mercenaries to address the country’s security challenges. He emphasized Nigeria’s capacity to resolve its issues independently, advocating for local military equipment production through partnerships with countries like China.
In a recent press conference at the State House in Abuja, Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, firmly dismissed the notion of hiring foreign mercenaries to address the country’s ongoing security challenges. His comments came in the wake of an intensifying debate surrounding the involvement of foreign powers in Nigeria's internal affairs, particularly following new partnerships with countries like China and France.
Tuggar, speaking alongside Wang Yi, China’s foreign minister, emphasized that involving external private military companies was not a viable solution for Nigeria’s security issues. “We don’t think it is going to provide the panacea,” Tuggar remarked, reinforcing the belief that Nigeria should handle its security concerns without relying on foreign fighters.
Highlighting Nigeria's role as a leader in regional peace efforts, he pointed out that the country has consistently demonstrated its capacity to manage security challenges in collaboration with other nations, both within and outside Africa. “It’s not just a one-off thing. It is because of Nigeria’s place and position on the continent,” said Tuggar, stressing that the country’s leadership in peacekeeping was a long-standing tradition.
In contrast to engaging foreign mercenaries, Tuggar emphasized Nigeria’s focus on strengthening local capabilities. He outlined plans to partner with China to domestically produce military equipment, aiming to reduce dependency on external suppliers. This initiative, according to Tuggar, will help streamline procurement processes and ensure timely access to essential resources.
