In what some analysts see as another policy somersault, President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, ordered the immediate re-opening of Nigeria’s land and air borders with neighbouring Niger Republic.
Nigerian had recently expressed its commitment to continued closure of the borders following escalation of prices of food items as well as smuggling activities.
But, then agitations from some sections of the country have been intensified recently calling for the reopening of the borders.
How well are the security agents to man the borders properly to avoid smuggling remains to be seen under the new dispensation.
According to a statement issued by his special adviser on media and publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu also directed the immediate lifting of other sanctions against the country.
The statement, considered by the analysts as face-saving, further explained that the President’s directives were in compliance with the resolution of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government during its last extraordinary meeting in Abuja.
He said: “President Bola Tinubu has directed the opening of Nigeria’s land and air borders with the Republic of Niger and the lifting of other sanctions against the country with immediate effect.
“This directive is 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.
“ECOWAS leaders had agreed to lift economic sanctions against the Republic of Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea.
“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.
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“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 statement said President Tinubu has also approved the lifting of financial and economic sanctions against the Republic of Guinea.
The country is still grappling with smuggling of items including petroleum products even when the borders were believed to be closed
