Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar has officially tendered his resignation.

AlKasim Abdulkadir, the spokesperson for Mr Tuggar, confirmed the resignation through an official post on Facebook.

The move comes as Mr Tuggar prepares to contest for the APC governorship ticket in Bauchi State.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu issued a directive requiring all ministers and other political appointees seeking to contest in 2027 to resign from their current positions by 31 March.

Tuggar’s resignation was finalised just a day before the official deadline.

The foreign affairs minister, who confirmed his resignation later on Monday, noted his resignation letter was formally delivered to the president earlier that day through the Office of the Secretary of Government in Abuja.

“Today, I formally submitted my resignation letter as Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, in line with the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the provisions of the Electoral Act,” Tuggar wrote.

Reflecting on his tenure, he noted that the “moment marks the close of a significant phase of his service", which, according to him, focused on improving global partnerships and diplomatic relations.

He also said, “I express my sincere appreciation to President Tinubu @officialABAT for the trust and opportunity to serve under the Renewed Hope Agenda and to contribute to advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy through the 4D Doctrine."

“I express my sincere appreciation to President Tinubu @officialABAT for the trust and opportunity to serve under the Renewed Hope Agenda and to contribute to advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy through the 4D Doctrine.”

Mr Tuggar was previously a member of the Nigerian House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011, representing Gamawa, and he ran twice for the office of the governor of Bauchi State.

He served as the Nigerian ambassador to Germany from 2017 to 2023.