In accordance with the resolutions adopted by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government at the extraordinary summit held on February 24, 2024, in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu has issued a directive for the immediate reopening of Nigeria’s terrestrial and aerial frontiers with the Republic of Niger. Concurrently, the President has ordered the rescission of all extant sanctions imposed on the neighboring nation.
The announcement was made public through a communiqué released on March 13 by Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity. The communiqué delineates the specific sanctions to be lifted, which include the cessation of the land and air border closure, the suspension of commercial and financial dealings, the unfreezing of the Republic of Niger’s assets within ECOWAS Central Banks, the reinstatement of financial transactions with financial entities such as EBID and BOAD, and the revocation of travel restrictions on government officials and their kin.
This move aligns with the collective decision of the ECOWAS leaders to alleviate economic sanctions on the Republic of Niger, alongside Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea, and underscores Nigeria’s commitment to fostering regional cooperation and economic integration.
The statement read: Today, I have directed the opening of Nigeria’s land and air borders with the Republic of Niger and the lifting of other sanctions against Niger Republic with immediate effect in compliance with the decisions of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government at its extraordinary summit on February 24, 2024, in Abuja where we had agreed to lift economic sanctions against the Republic of Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea.
I have also directed that the following sanctions imposed on the Republic of Niger be lifted immediately:
(1) 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.
(2) Suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between Nigeria and Niger, as well as freeze of all service transactions, including utility services and electricity to Niger Republic.
(3) 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.
(4) Suspension of Niger from all financial assistance and transactions with all financial institutions, particularly EBID and BOAD.
(5) Travel bans on government officials and their family members.
In addition to the above, I have also approved the lifting of financial and economic sanctions against the Republic of Guinea.
