In compliance with the resolutions set forth during the ECOWAS summit, President Bola Tinubu has declared the immediate reopening of Nigeria’s land and air borders with the Republic of Niger.
This decision follows the consensus reached by ECOWAS leaders on February 24th, 2024, to lift economic sanctions imposed on Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea.
With a specific focus on Niger, Nigeria has reversed its sanctions, thereby facilitating the resumption of commercial flights and cross-border trade and travel.
Additionally, financial transactions and utility services, along with previously frozen assets, have been reinstated.
In a press release, presidential spokesperson Ajuri Ngelale conveyed, “The President has instructed the immediate lifting of the following sanctions imposed on the Republic of Niger:
- Closure of land and air borders between Nigeria and Niger Republic, as well as the ECOWAS no-fly zone for all commercial flights to and from Niger Republic.
- Suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between Nigeria and Niger, including the freeze of service transactions like utility services and electricity to Niger Republic.
- Freeze of assets belonging to the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS Central Banks, and suspension of assets belonging to 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, along with travel bans on government officials and their family members.”
With these measures lifted, both Nigeria and Niger are poised to resume normal economic and diplomatic relations, fostering regional stability and cooperation within ECOWAS.
