Tinubu Reopens Nigeria-Niger Air, Land Borders, Lifts Other Sanctions

President Bola Tinubu has issued directives for the reopening of Nigeria’s land and air borders with the Republic of Niger, along with the immediate lifting of other sanctions against the country.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

According to him, this move was in compliance with the recent decision made by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government during its extraordinary summit on February 24, 2024, in Abuja, where economic and travel sanctions on Niger, Mali, and Guinea were lifted.

The statement revealed that the President has 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 a 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.”

The regional bloc had imposed the sanctions after the military coup in July 2023 toppled the democratically elected government of Mohamed Bazoum.

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