Tensions Rise As Niger Republic Restricts Nigerians Into Country 

The Republic of Niger has begun enforcing travel restrictions on Nigerian nationals using the ECOWAS passport, denying entry to those without other travel documents. 

This decision follows Niger’s recent withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) alongside Mali and Burkina Faso. The move comes as a surprise, given ECOWAS’s earlier pledge to maintain an open-door policy despite the exit, and Niger’s historically open border with Nigeria.

New immigration measures are now in effect at key crossings such as Illela (Nigeria) and Konni (Niger), creating challenges for cross-border traders and commuters. Nigerien authorities no longer recognize the ECOWAS passport as a valid form of identification, disrupting travel and trade.

Alhaji Mansur Abdullah, a trader who frequently moves between the two countries, confirmed the development, telling PUNCH newspapers “I believe there is a move to abolish the ECOWAS passport as a means of traveling here; they have started harassing us if we are entering the country. Some of our people are being turned back home. We learned that there is a new passport being issued now to everyone coming to Niger Republic to replace the old ECOWAS passport.”

While the Nigerien government has yet to officially confirm a complete ban on ECOWAS passports, affected travelers worry that the situation could escalate, further disrupting trade and cross-border movement.

Niger stands to lose critical resources:  electricity from Nigeria, which previously supplied about 70% of Niger’s power, could be cut off again if tensions escalate.

The landlocked Sahel nation is already grappling with severe food shortages, worsened by climate shocks such as extreme droughts and deadly floods. Armed conflict has further deepened its food insecurity. Niger relies heavily on imports from Nigeria and Benin, its main ECOWAS trading partners, for food and essential goods. Any further disruption to this supply chain could exacerbate the country’s already dire economic and humanitarian situation.