Breaking News: President Tinubu ends sanctions, reopens Nigeria’s borders with Niger

President Bola Tinubu has issued a directive to open Nigeria‘s land and air borders with the Republic of Niger. Additionally, he has ordered the lifting of sanctions against Niger and the Republic of Guinea, effective immediately.

In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, titled “Nigeria opens land and air borders with the Republic of Niger, lifts other sanctions,” President Tinubu’s decision comes shortly after the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government lifted economic and travel sanctions on Niger, Mali, and Guinea during its extraordinary summit in Abuja on February 24, 2024.

The lifted sanctions on Niger include:

“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,” the statement read.

President Tinubu’s directive signals a move towards normalising relations and restoring economic activities between Nigeria, Niger Republic, and Guinea.