Niger Republic Opens Land Border with Nigeria Following Mutual Agreement

By: Emmanuel Ibitoye

The government of Niger Republic has officially reopened its land border with Nigeria, specifically in Konni, one week after the Nigeria Customs Service initiated the opening of the Illela border between both countries.

According to Nuhu Samaila, a source from Konni, the border was declared open at precisely 12pm on Friday, following a decision by the military junta to heed the populace’s desire for border operations to resume.

Samaila commended the government’s responsiveness to the people’s needs, expressing optimism about the positive impact the reopening would have on the economies of both countries. He stated, “It is a commendable effort, at least by the government, to have done the needful at last.”

The reopening of the land border comes after President Bola Tinubu’s directive to restore electricity supply to Niger and reopen the borders, following sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in response to a coup in Niger.

ECOWAS leaders had demanded the restoration of constitutional order in Niger after the arrest and detention of President-elect Mohamed Bazoum. In compliance with Tinubu’s directive, Nigeria Customs Service reopened the Kamba land border, emphasizing its strategic importance in revenue generation for Kebbi State.