Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has reiterated Nigeria’s dedication to financial inclusion and global economic empowerment, highlighting the country’s ongoing efforts to strengthen development finance and international collaboration.
Tuggar made this known in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir, on the sidelines of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) in Spain.
Delivering a statement on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, the minister emphasised Nigeria’s strategic push to expand the capacity of development finance institutions such as the Bank of Industry and the Bank of Agriculture. These efforts, he noted, are designed to better support Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs), particularly those led by women and youths.
Tuggar, who also served as the keynote speaker at the inauguration of the Green Guarantee Group, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to green financing and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
During a meeting with the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Capital Development Fund, Tuggar discussed plans to enhance collaboration in support of job creation and SME development in Nigeria. Both parties agreed in principle to sign a Memorandum of Understanding that would facilitate interest-free loans and wider assistance for small businesses.
In a separate engagement with Sweden’s Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Tuggar sought Swedish technical expertise to aid the implementation of Nigeria’s recently signed tax reform policy. He also requested Sweden’s backing for Nigeria’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2030–2031 term.
These engagements, according to the minister, reflect Nigeria’s proactive diplomacy and ongoing commitment to inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
(NAN)