Minister hails Tinubu on Nigeria’s diplomatic feat at gas exporting countries forum

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on what he described as a major diplomatic breakthrough for the country at the 27th Ministerial Meeting of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) held in Doha, Qatar.

At the high-level meeting, Dr. Philip Mshelbila, Managing Director of the Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), was elected as Secretary-General of the GECF, while the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, was chosen to serve as President of the 2026 GECF Ministerial Meeting.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja, Ambassador Tuggar described the twin victories as a testament to President Tinubu’s proactive foreign policy and strategic vision to restore Nigeria’s leadership and influence in global energy diplomacy under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to Tuggar, the success followed extensive diplomatic engagements coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through Nigeria’s missions in GECF member states.

The ministry, he said, launched an intensive campaign for Nigeria’s candidature and worked closely with African member states to ensure a unified position in support of the country’s nominees.

He revealed that Nigeria’s foreign missions were actively involved in lobbying voting members, in close coordination with bilateral discussions held at major international events such as the BRICS Summit in Brazil and the African Union’s 7th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.

The process, Tuggar noted, also enjoyed high-level political backing from the Presidency.

Ambassador Tuggar commended Dr. Mshelbila and Minister Ekpo for their “stellar credentials and experience,” describing their emergence as “victories not only for Nigeria but for Africa’s collective voice in global energy governance.”

He expressed confidence that both officials would contribute significantly to strengthening the GECF’s role in advancing global energy transition, promoting equitable resource management, and supporting sustainable development initiatives.

The minister reaffirmed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ commitment to aligning its diplomatic engagements with President Tinubu’s broader vision of a reformed and respected Nigeria whose foreign policy delivers tangible benefits for its citizens.