Niamey, Niger Republic – April 2025 — Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has visited Niamey to engage in high-level talks aimed at restoring strained ties between Nigeria and Niger Republic.
Tuggar’s trip marks a diplomatic step towards mending relations that have been frayed since the July 2023 military coup in Niger, which triggered a chain of sanctions and political backlash across West Africa. He was received by Niger’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bakary Sangaré.
The visit focused on reviving bilateral cooperation in areas such as security, trade, energy, and environmental challenges. Tuggar noted that discussions extended to joint concerns like managing migration, combating desertification, and breathing new life into the Nigeria-Niger Joint Commission (NNJC).
Tensions between the two neighbours escalated following the coup, when the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), chaired by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, imposed heavy sanctions on Niger and called for a return to civilian rule. The bloc’s stance included threats of military intervention, border closures, and a halt to cross-border collaboration.
The diplomatic fallout deepened when Niger, alongside fellow junta-led nations Mali and Burkina Faso, formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). The new bloc has since introduced a 0.5% import levy on goods from ECOWAS countries, further straining regional relationships.
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… pic.twitter.com/qESQBBnerT
— Hon. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar (@YusufTuggar) April 17, 2025
