The President of Nigeria who doubles as the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, directed the opening of Nigeria’s land and air borders with the Republic of Niger.

 

President Tinubu also directed the lifting of other sanctions against the country with immediate effect.

 

Following the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government’s emergency conference in Abuja on February 24, 2024, Tinubu issued his decree just a few days later, lifting travel and economic restrictions against Niger, Mali, and Guinea.

 

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

 

Furthermore, in the statement signed by the presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, the President also directed that the following sanctions earlier 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 a freeze of all service transactions, including utility services and electricity to the 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,”

 

 

Recall that Niger Republic faced sanctions from ECOWAS, after a millitary junta ousted the democratically elected president, Mohammed Bazoum on July 26, 2023.