In a significant development, President Bola Tinubu has issued a directive to reopen Nigeria’s land and air borders with the Republic of Niger, along with the lifting of other sanctions imposed on the country, effective immediately.
This directive aligns with the resolutions of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, as decided during an extraordinary summit held on February 24, 2024, in Abuja.
At the summit, ECOWAS leaders collectively agreed to lift economic sanctions against several countries including the Republic of Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea.
President Tinubu’s directive specifically entails the immediate lifting of the following sanctions imposed on the Republic of Niger:
- The closure of land and air borders between Nigeria and Niger Republic, as well as the imposition of an ECOWAS no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger Republic.
- Suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between Nigeria and Niger, including the freeze of all service transactions such as utility services and electricity to Niger Republic.
- Freeze of assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS Central Banks, and the 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, notably EBID and BOAD.
- Travel bans on government officials and their family members.
Additionally, President Tinubu has given approval for the lifting of financial and economic sanctions against the Republic of Guinea.
The announcement was made by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, signifying a positive step towards regional cooperation and stability.
