The federal government of Nigeria has with immediate effect lifted economic sanctions against the Republic of Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea and ordered the opening of Nigeria’s land and air borders with Niger.
President Bola Tinubu gave the directives in a statement by his media aide, Ajuri Ngelale. This is said to be in compliance with the decisions of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government at its extraordinary summit on February 24, 2024, in Abuja.
Among other sanctions imposed on the Republic of Niger which has now been lifted are 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.
Tinubu also lifted the suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between Nigeria and Niger, as well as freeze of all service transactions, including utility services and electricity to Niger Republic.
The president directed that the freezing of assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS Central Banks and freezing of assets of the Republic of Niger, state enterprises, and parastatals in commercial banks be lifted too.
“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 also stand lifted,” the statement added.
The gesture was also extended to Republic of Guinea with the lifting of financial and economic sanctions.
Recall that ECOWAS leaders had agreed to lift economic sanctions against the Republic of Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea.
