By Gloria Ikibah
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has called for urgent reforms to foster economic fairness, global peace, and security at the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Commending South Africa for assuming the G20 Presidency, Tuggar assured the group of Nigeria’s full support for its agenda, which includes disaster resilience, debt management, energy transition, and the responsible use of critical minerals to drive inclusive development.
On global conflicts and humanitarian challenges, he urged the G20 to enhance strategies for conflict resolution, humanitarian aid, and African-led peace efforts; this is as he stressed the importance of tackling terrorism comprehensively—combining security measures with socio-economic solutions such as investment in education, healthcare, and job creation.
The Minister further reiterated Nigeria’s push for reforms in international institutions, and argued that the current system does not reflect the realities of developing nations.
He highlighted tax justice as a pressing issue, and called on the G20 to back President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s initiatives to curb capital flight and tax evasion by multinational corporations.
Nigeria also raised concerns about illicit financial flows (IFFs), which siphon billions from Africa through corruption and illegal trade practices, and Tuggar advocated for stricter financial transparency, tighter regulations on tax havens, and stronger global cooperation to recover stolen assets.
He emphasised that global policies must prioritize solidarity, fairness, and sustainability, urging world leaders to foster a more inclusive international system; and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working with global partners to ensure equitable development for all nations.