“Nigeria Reopens Land and Air Borders with Niger Republic”

President Tinubu Orders Reopening of Borders with Niger RepublicPresident Bola Tinubu has issued a directive to open Nigeria’s land and air borders with the Republic of Niger, along with the lifting of other sanctions against the country, effective immediately.This decision aligns with the resolutions of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, reached during an extraordinary summit on February 24, 2024, in Abuja.Recall that during the summit, ECOWAS leaders collectively agreed to lift economic sanctions imposed on the Republic of Niger, as well as on Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea.The specific sanctions imposed on the Republic of Niger, which have now been lifted, include:1. Closure of land and air borders between Nigeria and Niger Republic.
2. ECOWAS no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger Republic.
3. Suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between Nigeria and Niger.
4. Freeze of all service transactions, including utility services and electricity, to Niger Republic.
5. Freeze of assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS Central Banks.
6. Freeze of assets of the Republic of Niger, state enterprises, and parastatals in commercial banks.
7. Suspension of Niger from all financial assistance and transactions with all financial institutions, particularly EBID and BOAD.
8. Travel bans on government officials and their family members.In a statement titled ‘Nigeria Opens Land and Air Borders with Republic of Niger, Lifts Other Sanctions’, President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, conveyed the President’s directive to lift these sanctions immediately.This move signifies a significant step towards normalizing relations between Nigeria and the Republic of Niger, as well as promoting regional cooperation and economic integration within the ECOWAS community. It is expected to facilitate the movement of people and goods between the two countries, fostering trade and diplomatic ties.