Nigeria has taken a bold step towards mending fractured relations with its northern neighbour, Niger Republic, by dispatching a high-level delegation to Niamey, led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar.
The visit, which culminated in a meeting on Wednesday, is Nigeria’s most direct diplomatic outreach to Niger since relations soured following the military coup in July 2023.
Tuggar confirmed the meeting in a post on his X account on Thursday, April 17, saying,“Rebuilding trust and fostering regional stability remain central to Nigeria’s diplomatic efforts.
“I led a delegation to the Republic of Niger to renew bilateral ties and strengthen cooperation in key areas such as security, trade, and energy.
“Our engagements also addressed pressing shared concerns, including migration management, the fight against desertification, and the revitalisation of the Nigeria-Niger Joint Commission (NNJC).
“Nigeria and Niger remain united in their commitment to advancing regional peace and development,” he concluded.
Tuggar, who delivered a special message from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to General Abdourahamane Tchiani, was accompanied by senior diplomats, policy advisers, and defence liaison officers.
According to a joint communique signed by Tuggar and Niger’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bakary Yaou Sangaré, both parties discussed issues of mutual interest including regional trade, security cooperation, energy, and infrastructure.
“The two countries deliberated on various issues of mutual interest that would foster closer relations amongst the people and government of Niger and Nigeria,” the statement said.
“Some of the concerns raised were the renewed commitment to revitalise the Nigeria-Niger Joint Commission (NNJC), which would further consolidate the gains made so far.”
They also agreed to deepen cooperation across several sectors, from the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and cross-border markets to education, desertification, and new technologies, and promised to pursue these jointly through the NNJC.
On the security front, both countries expressed concern over terrorist threats along their shared border. They called on their defence ministries to intensify cooperation.
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In a show of unity, both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to “boost and energise bilateral cooperation… to raise it to the level of their ambitions and the legitimate expectations of their respective peoples.”
Tuggar and Sangaré proposed the establishment of a Joint Consultative Forum that would include all relevant stakeholders from both nations to tackle shared challenges.
Following the 2023 coup in Niger, Nigeria has made repeated efforts to preserve economic and diplomatic ties.
Former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar was previously sent to mediate. Nigeria also continued working on joint infrastructure like the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline.
Despite ECOWAS sanctions, Nigeria maintained certain economic ties with Niger. Fuel supply disruptions hit Niger hard after Nigeria removed subsidies, making illegal cross-border trade unprofitable and triggering shortages.
The tensions severely impacted border communities with deep familial and cultural links. Restrictions on movement and trade added to their hardship.
Regionally, Niger’s withdrawal from ECOWAS, along with Mali and Burkina Faso, weakened West Africa’s collective response to security threats.
Accusations from Niger that Nigeria was working with France to destabilise it after a terrorist attack further escalated tensions.
Security collaboration between both countries was previously central to counterterrorism in the Lake Chad Basin. That cooperation has since faltered, making border areas more vulnerable.
The exit of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from ECOWAS and the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) further fragmented the region’s response to terrorism and crime.
The AES left ECOWAS over sanctions and threats of military intervention, which they viewed as punitive. They also accused the bloc of siding with France and failing to address Sahelian security issues.
In response to the crisis, ECOWAS tried several diplomatic overtures, including sending Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ghana’s John Mahama to mediate. Both emphasised the importance of dialogue.
Though AES nations have left, ECOWAS has extended a grace period allowing them to benefit from visa-free travel and regional trade frameworks, a move meant to keep the door open for reconciliation.