Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has called for greater transparency in global media narratives about the country, insisting that his full interview on Piers Uncensored be broadcast without edits or omissions.
Tuggar on his X handle, @YusufTuggar, said he used the Piers Uncensored platform to challenge what he described as “misleading narratives and allegations of religious persecution in Nigeria,” stressing that his clarifications were grounded in evidence.
“My explanations, supported by verifiable data, may not have conformed to certain preconceived views; however, for the sake of integrity and transparency, it is essential that the full interview be aired exactly as recorded.”
The minister said Nigeria’s diversity must be understood in its proper context, warning against the dangers of oversimplifying a nation of more than 230 million people.
“Nigeria is a nation of remarkable complexity; multi-ethnic, multi-religious, multi-cultural and home to over 230 million people,” Tuggar noted.
He added that “nation-building in such a diverse landscape demands context, balance, and a willingness to engage issues with nuance rather than sensationalism,” stressing that the country “cannot be understood or judged through simplistic or one-dimensional lenses.”
Tuggar explained that Nigeria’s internal dynamics “require thoughtful interpretation, grounded in facts, history, and constitutional reality,” and said this was the approach he took during his conversation with Piers Morgan.
According to him, diplomacy includes the responsibility to correct false impressions and offer clarity to international audiences.
“The work of diplomacy includes correcting misconceptions, providing clarity where narratives are distorted, and ensuring that global audiences appreciate the full picture of who we are and the values we uphold,” he stated.
He affirmed his commitment to honest engagement on global platforms, saying, “I remain committed to conversations that reflect Nigeria’s complexity with honesty, depth, and respect.”
Tuggar added that Nigeria’s story must not be altered to fit external agendas. “Nigeria’s truth must not be distorted to fit external biases,” he said.
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