Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, arrived in Niamey yesterday, leading a high-level delegation aimed at restoring and strengthening diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Republic of Niger.
The visit marked a significant step in mending ties between both countries which were apparently strained since the July 2023 coup in Niger.
Tuggar was expected to deliver a special message from President Bola Tinubu to General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the Head of State of the West African nation.
The Nigerian delegation included senior diplomats, policy advisers, and defence liaison officers. As of the time of this report last night, it was learnt that discussions covered critical issues such as security cooperation, regional trade, economic development, and cross-border collaboration, among others.
This diplomatic engagement reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to peaceful dialogue and regional stability.
The relationship between the two neighbouring countries almost crashed after the coup d’etat that ousted a democratic government in Niger, with the Nigerian government leading other member countries of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to place series of sanctions on the country as well as Burkina Faso and Mali who had had their civilian administrations toppled.
