Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, has highlighted that the country is scrutinizing claims concerning the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) potentially supporting Boko Haram. Although the allegations remain unproven, Nigeria is taking them seriously.
During the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing Series in Abuja, Tuggar stressed that the investigation is significant due to the dignity of Nigeria, even though it remains an unverified claim. He also noted the complexity of politics in the U.S. and that Nigeria remains uninvolved in such matters.
Despite these concerns, significant progress has been made in weakening Boko Haram. The government is proactively engaged in rebuilding and reintegrating affected individuals through initiatives like the Safe Corridor program in Gombe. Here, former militants and others impacted by the conflict receive assessment and necessary aid. Tuggar assured, “Boko Haram has been significantly diminished. In Gombe, through the Safe Corridor, we’re sorting and reorienting militants and ensuring those in need of support are resettled.”
The minister also lauded Nigeria’s effective counterterrorism tactics. The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) is being closely observed by other nations, including Somalia, seeking to emulate Nigeria’s strategies. Tuggar remarked, “Our innovative approaches in fighting terrorism are being studied by developed countries. They are asking, ‘How are these strategies working?'”
Furthermore, Tuggar reminisced about Nigeria’s enduring role in peacekeeping missions across Africa, such as in Sierra Leone and Liberia. He urged fellow Nigerians to acknowledge the nation’s successes in security and international relations. “We must view ourselves in a new light, appreciate our unique models, and recognize our peacebuilding successes in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and ongoing efforts in the Northeast,” Tuggar concluded.
