Nigeria and Niger held cordial talks on border security, terrorism, and economic projects, despite post-coup tensions.

The foreign ministers of Nigeria and Niger have engaged in discussions centered on cross-border security, terrorism, and economic cooperation, despite the strained relations between the two neighboring countries following the coup in Niger in July 2023.

This development follows Nigeria’s renewed appeals earlier this month for the release of Niger's ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, who remains in strict detention at the presidential palace in Niamey.

Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar visited Niamey to hold talks with his Nigerien counterpart, Bakary Yaou Sangare. This marked only the second visit by a high-ranking Nigerian official since the coup, with the first being that of General Christopher Musa, Nigeria’s defence chief, in August.

According to a joint statement issued by the two ministers, “The discussions took place in a climate of great cordiality and provided an opportunity to examine in depth the challenges facing the two countries.”

A major point of focus was the persistent terror threat along the shared borders, which the statement noted as “a real obstacle to the effective implementation of all development programmes.”

On the matter of economic cooperation, the two ministers reviewed progress on the railway project connecting the Nigerian cities of Kano and Katsina to Maradi in Niger, which is scheduled to be completed by 2026.

They also deliberated on the construction of the Trans-Sahara Highway and the proposed Trans-Saharan gas pipeline. Additional topics included customs procedures and taxation policies.

Earlier in the year, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), citing the bloc’s failure to effectively combat terrorist groups. In response, the three military-led nations established their own regional coalition, the Alliance of Sahel States.