President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday directed the reopening of Nigeria’s land and air borders with the Republic of Niger. The President also directed the lifting of other sanctions against the country, with immediate effect.
This decision comes in accordance with the resolutions made by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government during a summit held in Abuja on February 24, 2024.
ECOWAS leaders reached a consensus to revoke economic sanctions imposed on several nations, including the Republic of Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea.
“President Tinubu has taken decisive steps to align Nigeria’s policies with the decisions reached by the ECOWAS Authority. This action reflects our commitment to fostering regional cooperation and stability.” Reads the presidential press statement signed by the special adviser to the president, Ajuri Ngelale.
Tinubu’s directive specifically targets the Republic of Niger, lifting with immediate effect the closure of land and air borders between Nigeria and Niger Republic, as well as the ECOWAS no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger Republic.
He also stops the suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between Nigeria and Niger, alongside the freeze of all service transactions, including utility services and electricity to Niger Republic.
The new directive include the unfreezing of assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS Central Banks assets of the Republic of Niger, state enterprises, and parastatals in commercial banks.
Similarly, the suspension of Niger from all financial assistance and transactions with all financial institutions, particularly EBID and BOAD has been lifted as well as travel bans on government officials and their family members.
Additionally, Tinubu has approved the lifting of financial and economic sanctions against the Republic of Guinea.
