Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Yusuf Tuggar and Piers Morgan Engage in Social Media Exchange Over Unreleased Interview on Alleged Religious Persecution

In a spirited online exchange on Thursday, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and British broadcaster Piers Morgan traded words over the airing of an unreleased interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored.

It is reported that Tuggar had earlier demanded that the full and unedited version of his interview be broadcast, warning that selective editing could distort Nigeria’s image and amplify “misleading narratives and allegations of religious persecution.”

In a post shared on his X handle on Wednesday, the minister emphasized the importance of transparency, stating that while his explanations may not have conformed to certain preconceived views, they were firmly grounded in verifiable data.

“I appeared on @piersmorgan’s flagship programme, @PiersUncensored, where I presented a factual and contextual perspective on the misleading narratives and allegations of religious persecution in Nigeria.

“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, without edits or selective omissions. Nigeria’s truth must not be distorted to fit external biases,” Tuggar said.

Reacting to the minister’s post, Morgan responded with a hint of levity, assuring that the interview would be shown in full.

“You seem to be panicking, Foreign Minister. Rest assured, we will air your comments in full, the show is called Uncensored for a reason. Whether people believe what you said remains to be seen,” the broadcaster wrote.

Tuggar, in turn, maintained his composure while adding a touch of humor, replying:

“I am as cool as a cucumber Mr Morgan. And if I wasn’t more equable, I would say you are flattering yourself, but I won’t.

“Just want to make sure you don’t edit out the parts where you kept referring to the ‘Chibok Boys’! Well researched.”

The exchange highlights Tuggar’s insistence on presenting Nigeria’s perspective accurately amid ongoing international scrutiny over allegations of religious persecution, while Morgan reassures viewers of his program’s commitment to an “uncensored” platform.