Nigeria has announced fresh efforts to reengage Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, three countries that recently withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, emphasized that while the three Sahelian nations have formally exited ECOWAS following military takeovers, Nigeria still views them as essential regional partners, especially on issues that transcend political alliances.
“While it is true that three countries in our region have chosen to depart from ECOWAS, this does not sever the bonds of trade, cooperation, and shared destiny that unite us as West Africans,” Tuggar said. “These nations remain our neighbours, our partners, and integral stakeholders in the future of West Africa’s economic transformation.”
This outreach reflects a noticeable shift in Nigeria’s tone—from leading calls for sanctions and border closures in the aftermath of the coups, to now extending an olive branch for regional dialogue and cooperation.
Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, now operating under their self-formed Alliance of Sahel States (AES), have accused ECOWAS of sidelining their sovereignty and ignoring domestic realities. Their break from the bloc earlier in 2024 shook regional integration efforts and raised alarms over worsening insecurity and economic fragmentation in West Africa.
Still, Nigeria’s latest gesture suggests that, while Abuja may differ politically with the AES trio, it remains committed to shared goals in trade, infrastructure, and security.
“Regional development cannot be sacrificed at the altar of political disagreement,” Tuggar stated. “We face common challenges—terrorism, poverty, youth unemployment—that require collective solutions. That includes our Sahelian brothers.”
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Observers say Nigeria’s outreach is not just a diplomatic nicety—it’s a calculated move to maintain influence in a rapidly changing regional landscape. As West Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria has vested interests in preserving trade routes and partnerships that link it to the Sahel. With the free flow of goods and people disrupted since the AES countries pulled out of ECOWAS, landlocked neighbors have struggled to maintain stable trade corridors.
The foreign minister made clear that Nigeria’s bilateral efforts have not been frozen by the ECOWAS stalemate. Tuggar highlighted ongoing partnerships through mechanisms like the Nigeria-Niger Joint Commission, a longstanding platform for cross-border cooperation on infrastructure, water resources, and security.
“Trade does not stop because of membership status,” he noted. “Nigeria and Niger, for example, continue to engage actively on development projects. The same applies to our engagements with Burkina Faso and Mali.”
The Nigerian government appears keen on a broader approach to regional integration—one that includes not just governments but also the private sector and youth-led innovation. Tuggar hinted that upcoming diplomatic efforts will look beyond traditional state-to-state talks, aiming instead to involve a wider network of stakeholders who can help rebuild economic bridges in West Africa.
While it remains unclear how the AES governments will respond to Nigeria’s diplomatic olive branch, the move is already being seen as a significant pivot. Just last year, Nigeria, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu—then ECOWAS Chair—was a vocal supporter of strong sanctions against Niger’s military junta and a proponent of restoring civilian rule across the Sahel.
Now, with ECOWAS cohesion under strain, Nigeria is choosing engagement over estrangement.
For a region facing rising instability, crumbling borders, and economic dislocation, that choice might be a necessary first step toward healing old wounds and rekindling regional unity—even if it looks different from what ECOWAS once envisioned.
