Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has cautioned the 36 state governments against entering foreign or international negotiations without involving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Federal Government.
His advice follows a dispute with the Chinese company Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment, which led to a French court seizing three Federal Government jets.
Tuggar, in a statement, reiterated the necessity of registering international agreements with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the relevant embassy, and the Federal Government to prevent similar issues.
He pointed out that the Ogun State Government’s agreement with the Chinese company, made without federal oversight, caused the seizure of Nigerian assets.
He stressed that foreign negotiations require experienced and well-trained individuals, urging sub-national actors to avoid engaging in such agreements independently.
