Nigeria Returns To Business With Niger As President Tinubu Lifts Embargo On Land, Air Borders With The Republic

By Ayodele Oni

As a follow up to lifting of sanctions imposed on three West African Countries, President Bola Tinubu has directed the opening of Nigeria’s land and air borders with the Republic of Niger in addition to lifting of other sanctions against the country with immediate effect.

The directive was 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.

Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson announced this on Wednesday in a statement in Abuja.

ECOWAS leaders had agreed to lift economic sanctions against the Republic of Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea.

“The President has now 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 freeze of all service transactions, including utility services and electricity to 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.

“President Tinubu has also approved the lifting of financial and economic sanctions against the Republic of Guinea,’ according to a statement by Presidential Media Adviser, Ajuri Ngelale, on Wednesday.