Nigerians react aggressively as Tinubu opens borders with Niger Republic

Following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to reopen Nigeria’s borders (air and land) with the neighbouring country, Niger Republic, and the lifting of all sanctions against the country, Nigerians from every part of the country have started reacting differently to the development..

Earlier on Wednesday, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Tinubu, Ajuri Ngelale, had issued a statement titled, “Nigeria opens land and air borders with Republic of Niger, lifts other sanctions,” informing the public of the development, which he said, takes immediate effect.

Also, the president’s spokesperson added that Tinubu’s action is in compliance with the resolutions of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government reached during its extraordinary summit held at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on February 24, 2024.

The statement released by Mr. Ajuri read:

“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 freeze of all service transactions, including utility services and electricity to Niger Republic.

“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.”

Reacting to the development, many Nigerians took to their X (formerly Twitter) account to express their feelings. While many expressed their delight about it and praise President Tinubu’s administration for the decision, some took a jab at the government faulting its decision to place the ban in the first place without considering the implication.