….Former Foreign Affairs Minister calls for stronger continental integration, warns against discrimination among Africans

By Adeko Ukpa

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has condemned the growing hostility against fellow Africans in parts of the continent, particularly South Africa.

He warned that xenophobia undermines the ideals of Pan-Africanism and threatens Africa’s collective future.

Tuggar said Africa could not genuinely pursue continental unity, economic integration and shared prosperity while citizens of one African country were subjected to discrimination, intimidation and violence in another.

He spoke at the 2026 end-of-year event of The Bridge Club, where he served as chairman of the occasion.

The event featured renowned Kenyan scholar and Pan-African advocate, Professor P.L.O. Lumumba, as keynote speaker.

L-R: The President of The Bridge Club Lagos, Mr. Abdulhakeem Mustapha (SAN); the Executive Secretary, TETFUND, Arc. Sonny Echono; the Chairman of the occasion and a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar; a special guest, Mr Brodericks Arigbodi; and the Keynote Speaker, Prof. P.L.O. Lumumba at the end-of-the-year symposium of the club on Xenophobia and Pan-Africanism on Thursday at the Continental Hotel, Lagos.

The former minister, who reflected on Nigeria’s historical involvement in the struggle against apartheid in Southern Africa, said the country had made enormous sacrifices to secure the liberation of African countries from racist minority rule.

He recalled how Nigeria provided scholarships and other assistance to victims of apartheid, including South African students who survived the 1976 Soweto massacre.

According to him, Nigeria’s solidarity extended to Namibia, Angola and other African countries struggling against colonialism and racial oppression.

He said Nigerians of his generation grew up believing in African liberation and unity, making the current hostility against Nigerians and other black Africans in South Africa particularly difficult to understand.

Tuggar said: “These are but a very few of the reasons why Nigerians cannot fathom why they and other black Africans are being targeted in South Africa.

“Call it Afrophobia, which may be a better description than xenophobia, as non-black Africans appear to be exempted, or the more euphemistic framing of anti-migration protests, it is wrong and must be condemned.”

He described the development as particularly unfortunate at a time when African countries should be strengthening cooperation to improve their economic and political standing in the international community.

Tuggar, however, argued that understanding the historical and structural factors behind the hostility was necessary to addressing the problem, stressing that historical context should not be mistaken for justification.

He traced some of the roots of institutionalised segregation in Africa to colonial policies and the apartheid system, arguing that their psychological and social consequences continued to influence relationships within African societies.

The former minister said the continent needed intellectual rigour, historical understanding and stronger institutions to confront prejudice and other attitudes that undermine African solidarity.

He also identified economic integration and industrial development as critical elements of genuine Pan-Africanism.

According to him, Africa cannot achieve meaningful development by remaining a supplier of raw materials to the rest of the world while importing finished products.

He cited the vision of Nigerian development economist Adebayo Adedeji and other African intellectuals who advocated manufacturing, regional integration and the development of an African Economic Community.

Tuggar said the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) offered an important opportunity to advance that vision by strengthening trade, industrialisation and the movement of goods and services across national borders.

He identified three important connections between economic integration and Pan-Africanism, including the need for free movement of labour as a foundation of an effective continental free trade system.

He said: “The path to Pan-Africanism is through the continental free trade area.

“As the father of capitalism, Adam Smith, once opined, the free circulation of labour is the foundation of any free trade system.”

Tuggar also expressed concern about the possible influence of external interests in fuelling anti-migrant sentiments, calling for greater scrutiny of organised anti-immigration campaigns and their sources of funding.

He warned that the relationship between Nigeria and South Africa remained too important to the continent’s future to be undermined by hostility and mutual suspicion.

He recalled South Africa’s support for Nigeria’s international engagements, including its efforts towards joining the Group of 20 (G20).

Earlier, President of The Bridge Club, Abdulhakeem Mustapha (SAN), said the theme of the event, Xenophobia Contradicts Pan-Africanism, reflected the urgent need for Africans to reconcile their commitment to continental unity with their treatment of fellow Africans.

Mustapha said Pan-Africanism must go beyond political declarations, diplomatic conferences and economic agreements to become evident in people’s attitudes and conduct.

He asked: “How can we genuinely aspire to a united Africa when an African is made to feel unwelcome, unsafe or unwanted in another African country simply because of nationality, ethnicity or origin?”

He added that Africa’s prosperity, security and dignity were interconnected and could not be achieved sustainably at the expense of another African country.

Mustapha urged members of the club and other stakeholders to promote tolerance, mutual respect and understanding across national and cultural boundaries.

The event brought together professionals, business leaders, diplomats and other distinguished guests to discuss the future of African unity and the responsibilities of citizens in building a more inclusive continent.

By Adeko Ukpa, Abuja

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, on Tuesday, took a swipe at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing the President’s planned state visit to the United Kingdom on the heels of renewed bombings in Maiduguri, as “callous, indefensible and morally bankrupt.”

In a detailed statement on Tuesday, Frank said the coordinated explosions that ripped through Maiduguri on Monday evening – including near the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, the main market and the post office – exposing civilians to mass casualties – are “a tragic, blood-soaked verdict on a failing security architecture.”

Quoting official figures, he said no fewer than 23 Nigerians were killed and over 100 injured in the attacks blamed on suspected suicide bombers, warning that the country is “bleeding while its leadership is distracted.”

“This is not just another attack – it is a national emergency,” Frank declared. “Our people are being slaughtered, our soldiers are under relentless assault, yet the President is preparing for a ceremonial outing in UK. That is not leadership; that is abdication of responsibility.”

He demanded the immediate cancellation of the UK trip, insisting that any departure from Nigeria at such a moment would amount to “a cruel abandonment of grieving citizens.”

“No responsible leader boards a plane to wine, dine and dance when his country is burying its dead,” he said. “A President with empathy goes to Maiduguri, not London. He stands with victims, not with banquet hosts.”

Frank widened his attack to the British government, accusing it of “staggering hypocrisy and moral blindness” for extending the invitation in the first place.

“The UK is not ignorant of Nigeria’s reality,” he said. “It knows about the escalating insecurity, the mass unemployment strangling millions, and the catastrophic electricity crisis that has crippled industries. It is also aware of deepening concerns over democratic backsliding – a National Assembly and judiciary many believe have been weakened and silenced, and a political system tilting dangerously towards a one-party state.”

“Yet, in the face of all this, Britain rolls out the red carpet. That is not diplomacy – it is complicity. It is a celebration in the face of tragedy.

“It is also aware of growing concerns about the state of democracy, including allegations that Nigeria is drifting towards a one-party system under Tinubu, with both the National Assembly and judiciary weakened and silenced.”

Frank said the timing of the visit sends “a dangerous and insulting signal” that Nigerian lives are expendable and governance failures can be overlooked for the sake of ceremonial photo opportunity.

He added: “We challenge the UK to provide ten reasons that justify this honour at a time like this. To many Nigerians, this invitation appears to be a subtle endorsement of a second term, despite widespread concerns about governance and the credibility of the last election.”

Drawing comparisons, he noted that if a similar level of violence occurred in the UK, its leaders would very much suspend ceremonial engagements and focus on national security.

He also condemned what he described as an “obscene and indefensible convoy of power” accompanying the President, calling it proof of a government “detached from pain and addicted to excess.”

According to him, the delegation includes Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu.

Also listed are Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani; and Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd).

He added that National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed, are equally part of the entourage.

“At a time of mass burials and national grief, what possible justification exists for ferrying such a large retinue of officials abroad?” Frank queried. “This is not governance — it is extravagance in the face of suffering.”

Frank further alleged that Nigeria’s anti-terror war has been fatally weakened by corruption and internal sabotage, claiming that resources and military hardware meant to defeat insurgents are being diverted.

“It is an open secret that mismanagement and corruption have crippled our security response. There are disturbing reports of weapons meant for our troops finding their way into the hands of terrorists. Yet, the government continues to act as though all is well,” he said.

He urged the international community to fundamentally rethink its engagement with Nigeria, warning that uncritical support risks emboldening failure rather than solving the crisis.

In sharp contrast, Frank reserved rare praise for U.S. President Donald Trump, commending what he described as a “clear-eyed and decisive posture” toward Nigeria’s security challenges.

“While some global actors prefer ceremonies and silence, Trump has demonstrated a willingness to stand firmly with Nigeria in confronting terrorism. That is the kind of principled support Nigerians respect,” he said.

Frank told the Presidency: “that Nigeria is in mourning. This is a moment for leadership, compassion and decisive action – not foreign trips, not pageantry, not political theatre. Any President who chooses celebration over solidarity at a time like this has lost the moral right to lead.”

From Adeko Ukpa, Abuja

A political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, on Wednesday, urged the United States government and President Donald Trump to halt intelligence sharing and security cooperation with the Nigerian government, citing recent comments attributed to Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi on banditry and terrorism.

Frank who made the call in a statement issued in Abuja, said the remarks credited to Gumi suggesting that Nigerian authorities may know the identities and locations of bandits raise serious questions about the handling of insecurity in the country.

“If it is true that the government knows the names of these bandits, knows where they are located and even knows their camps, then Nigerians deserve to know why decisive action has not been taken,” he said.

He argued that the continued rise in kidnappings and killings across the country suggests that insecurity has escalated despite claims that security agencies possess intelligence about those responsible.

According to him, the continued deterioration of security despite international support raises suspicion that insecurity may be benefiting some individuals, alleging that insecurity in the country has become a “profitable business” for some actors within the system.

“Kidnappings have increased. Killings have escalated. Insecurity has worsened across the country. If a government truly knows the identities and locations of terrorists and bandits yet fails to act decisively, then that raises serious concerns,” he said.

He added: “They want the insecurity to persist because as long as insecurity continues in the country, it’s an opportunity for them to rig the 2027 general elections in Nigeria.

“They don’t care about Nigerians that are dying. They don’t care about Nigerians that are being kidnapped. They don’t care about the well-being of the people. They don’t care about the suffering of the people. They don’t care about good governance. All they care about is how they will rig themselves back to power using insecurity as cover.”

He urged the United States to exercise caution in its dealings with the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly in the area of intelligence while asserting that “the government of today appears to be friends with terrorists.”

“I am calling on the United States government to be very careful in its dealings with the current Nigerian administration. The U.S. should suspend intelligence sharing and security cooperation with the Nigerian government and its security chiefs,” he said.

The activist alleged that despite the security assistance Nigeria has received from international partners, the situation on the ground has continued to deteriorate.

“There appears to be a pattern where the government continues to receive security assistance and aid from the United States and other international partners, yet insecurity keeps worsening,” he said.

He said Nigerian soldiers were still losing their lives in the fight against insurgency and banditry despite military equipment and support provided by foreign partners.

“Today, Nigerian soldiers are dying in large numbers despite the equipment and support provided by the United States and other countries. With the level of support Nigeria has received, the war against insecurity should have made significant progress,” he said.

The activist called on President Trump to take decisive steps against terrorist groups operating in Nigeria and act independently if necessary.

“We are appealing directly to President Donald Trump to take a strong and decisive stand. If the United States truly wants to help Nigeria defeat terrorism and make the country great again, it should be prepared to act firmly against the terrorists responsible for the violence,” he said.

He added that such actions should not depend solely on cooperation with Nigerian authorities.

“The United States should be ready to take bold steps in confronting terrorist networks threatening Nigeria, even if it means acting independently like it did on Christmas eve against those responsible for the violence,” he said.

Frank who currently serves as the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East as well as Senior Advisor to the Global Friendship City Association (GFCA), USA, also called on the United States Congress to pay closer attention to developments in Nigeria and support measures that would address insecurity and strengthen democratic processes.

He further urged the United States to support credible democratic processes in Nigeria, noting that free and fair elections would help strengthen governance and stability.

According to him, decisive international engagement could help address the security challenges facing the country and support efforts to restore stability.

“If the United States truly wants to assist Nigeria, it should help ensure peace, security and credible democratic processes. That is how Nigeria can move forward and become stable and prosperous again,” he said.

He added that strong international support could help Nigeria overcome insecurity and rebuild confidence in governance.

“With the right actions and international support, Nigeria can defeat terrorism, restore stability and move toward a future where the country can truly become great again,” he said.