In a dramatic turn of events, Niger Republic has reached out to Nigeria for urgent fuel assistance despite months of strained relations and heated diplomatic tensions. The West African nation, grappling with a severe fuel shortage, has turned to its neighbor for a lifeline.
A high-level delegation from Niger’s military junta arrived in Abuja to negotiate with Nigerian officials, seeking a resolution to the growing crisis. After discussions, Nigeria agreed to send 300 trucks of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to Niger, a move seen as a potential bargaining chip in ongoing negotiations over the country’s re-entry into the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
According to a senior government source, the deal is seen as a “strategic bargaining tool,” as Nigeria hopes the fuel supply will encourage Niger to return to ECOWAS negotiations. The delegation revealed that Niger had been relying on fuel from a Chinese refinery, but due to supply disruptions, the country was left in a critical situation. The arrangement, however, remains shrouded in secrecy, with the Nigerian government eager to keep the details under wraps.
While some in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) believe the presidency may have orchestrated the deal, officials from other entities, including the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, declined to comment due to diplomatic sensitivities.
In Niger, the fuel crisis has escalated to alarming levels, with petrol prices soaring to N8,000 per liter in some areas. Reports from Sokoto State, a border region with Niger, revealed dramatic price variations depending on proximity to Nigeria. In border towns like Konni, a liter of fuel costs around N2,500, while in Agadez, it can rise to N7,500 per liter.
The shortage, experts say, stems from a clash between Niger’s military rulers and Chinese oil companies that have long controlled the country’s petroleum sector. Tensions escalated when the junta failed to repay a $400 million loan from China, leading to the expulsion of Chinese executives and the collapse of the Soraz refinery in Zinder, a key source of Niger’s fuel supply.
Adding to the complexities, Niger’s Head of State, Brigadier General Abdourahmane Tchiani, has made accusations against Nigeria, claiming collusion with France to destabilize Niger through terrorist groups. These accusations have not been substantiated, and the Nigerian government has vehemently denied them.
Despite these diplomatic barbs, Nigeria has quietly stepped in to provide much-needed fuel, with shipments already entering Niger to ease the crisis. Some analysts suggest that while the junta has avoided admitting its dependency, the truth is becoming increasingly clear: Niger is turning to Nigeria for help in its time of need.
Oil marketers in Nigeria, while not fully briefed on the specifics of the deal, have confirmed that Nigeria has more than enough capacity to provide for its neighbor. The combined output of domestic refineries like Dangote’s and the Port Harcourt refinery is enough to meet both Nigeria’s needs and assist neighboring countries in times of crisis.
As tensions remain high, Nigeria’s role as a regional stabilizer has never been more crucial, with experts suggesting that the country could play a key role in bringing Niger back into the fold of ECOWAS and helping to restore stability in the region.
