WATCH THE VIDEO HERE In a surprising move, Niger Republic has reached out to Nigeria for emergency fuel supplies, despite months of diplomatic tensions and hostile rhetoric between the two countries. A delegation of senior officials from Niger’s military junta travelled to Abuja, where they met with Federal Government representatives, securing a deal for 300 trucks of Premium Motor Spirit to be delivered to Niger. The fuel shortage in Niger has reached catastrophic levels, with prices skyrocketing to as high as N8,750 per liter in some areas. The crisis began when a Chinese refinery, which supplied fuel to Niger, shut down due to issues with the supplier. With its economy in free fall, Niger was forced to turn to Nigeria for help. A senior government official revealed that Nigeria approved the deal with the hope of using it as a “strategic bargaining tool” in ongoing negotiations with Niger. The official believes that Niger will eventually return to the ECOWAS fold, as it lacks the resources to sustain its citizens. The deal has been kept under wraps, with officials from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited and the Dangote Petroleum Refinery declining to comment due to diplomatic concerns. The Presidency has also remained silent on the matter. Despite the diplomatic tensions between the two countries, Nigeria’s intervention has provided a lifeline to Niger, which is struggling to cope with the fuel shortage. It remains to be seen whether this move will help to ease tensions and pave the way for Niger’s return to ECOWAS.
Niger Republic turns to Nigeria for fuel amid severe shortage
