Yesterday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed the immediate re-opening of Nigeria’s land and air borders with Niger Republic.
He also ordered the lifting of sanctions imposed on the country.
Regional allies in August last year, announced a series of sanctions following the July 26, 2023 coup in which President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted by the presidential guard headed by General Omar Tchiani.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Monetary and Economic Union imposed some of the most stringent sanctions on Niger, including the freezing of bank assets.
Nigeria cut power supply to the country on the 80-megawatt Birnin-Kebbi line.
A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said President Tinubu directed the immediate lifting of the sanctions.
The statement reads: “President Bola Tinubu has directed the opening of Nigeria’s land and air borders with the Republic of Niger and the lifting of other sanctions against the country with immediate effect.
“This directive is in compliance with the decisions of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government at its extraordinary summit on February 24 in Abuja.
“ECOWAS leaders had agreed to lift economic sanctions against the Republic of Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea.
“The President has directed that the following sanctions imposed on the Republic of Niger be lifted immediately:
“Closure of land and air borders between Nigeria and Niger Republic, as well as ECOWAS no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger Republic.
“Suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between Nigeria and Niger, as well as a freeze of all service transactions, including utility services and electricity to the Niger Republic.
“Freeze of assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS Central Banks and freeze of assets of the Republic of Niger, state enterprises, and parastatals in commercial banks.
“Suspension of Niger from all financial assistance and transactions with all financial institutions, particularly EBID and BOAD.
“Travel bans on government officials and their family members.”
