The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has embarked on a working visit to Niamey, the capital of the Niger Republic, amid ongoing diplomatic tensions between Nigeria and its northern neighbour.
Tuggar was received by his Nigerien counterpart, Bakary Sangaré. The visit was confirmed in a statement posted on Thursday via the minister’s official X handle.
“Rebuilding trust and fostering regional stability remain central to Nigeria’s diplomatic efforts,” the minister said.
He noted that the visit aimed to renew bilateral ties and enhance cooperation in areas such as security, trade, and energy. Tuggar also disclosed that discussions covered 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 added.
Relations between Nigeria and Niger have been tense since the July 2023 military coup in Niger. Following the coup, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), led by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, imposed strict sanctions on Niger and demanded a return to constitutional rule, including threats of military intervention.
These actions led to a deterioration in diplomatic ties, including border closures and the suspension of joint initiatives.
Tensions escalated further last month when the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comprising Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso introduced a 0.5% import duty on goods from ECOWAS member states, deepening the rift within the region.
