BREAKING: Niger Republic Aligns With Tinubu, Finally Opens Land Border With Nigeria

• The military-led Niger Republic has finally reopened its border with West African giants, Nigeria
• The land border between the two neighbours was closed following the coup d’état of July 26, 2023, and the subsequent ECOWAS sanctions
• Legit.ng understands that Nigerien authorities have now instructed concerned stakeholders to reauthorise the reopening

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering governance and public journalism.

Konni, Niger Republic - One week after the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) opened the Illela land border between Nigeria and Niger Republic, the government of Niger Republic on Friday, March 22, opened its border in Konni for operations.

The Punch quoted a source, Nuhu Samaila, as saying the border was declared open at midnight.

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He hailed the decision of the leadership of the country - the military junta.

The source said:

“It is a commendable effort, at least by the government, to have done the needful at last.

“It was our collective prayer that this border too should be reopened after the Nigeria side was declared open.

“I want to believe that this will definitely help a lot in the improvement of the economy of these two countries, as it will facilitate more trading activities between Nigeria and Niger Republic."

Daily Trust also noted the development.

Legit.ng reports that Nigeria had closed its borders with Niger Republic in the wake of the July 26, 2023, military coup that sacked Mohamed Bazoum as the democratically-elected president of the landlocked nation.

However, on March 13, 2024, President Bola Tinubu directed the reopening of the borders between both countries.

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Read more on Nigeria-Niger Republic land border

• Immigration gives new directive as Tinubu orders opening of borders with Niger Republic
• Naira to dollar rate finally closes gap in all markets after Tinubu opened border
• List of Nigerian States that Share Border with Niger Republic

Niger junta unveils 21-person cabinet

Earlier, Legit.ng also reported that Niger’s military junta took steps to entrench itself in power and rejected international efforts to mediate.

The new Nigerien prime minister, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, and the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) unveiled the composition of a government comprising 21 members.

Source: Legit.ng