NewStats: 3,263,452 , 8,180,180 topics. Date: Friday, 06 June 2025 at 12:45 AM 5o3q3o

Following the exit of Niger Republic alongside Mali and Burkina Faso from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) over the regional bloc stance on military takeovers in these francophone countries, findings by the Nigerian Tribune has revealed that some importers and exporters from landlocked Niger Republic may decide to abandon Nigerian ports for their trans-shipment cargoes.

Recall that Niger Republic, which borders Nigeria from the northern part, in 2023 had pledged to abandon Cotonou Port and start trans-shipping its cargoes through Lekki Port.

The Director General of the Ministry of Transportation at the Niger Republic, Mme Tchima Moustapha had told journalists in January of 2023 during the commissioning of the Lekki Deep Seaport in Lagos that the modern facilities available at the Lekki Deep Seaport have created an alternative for Niger importers to now trans-ship their cargoes through Nigeria instead of Cotonou Port in Benin Republic.

However, speaking with the Nigerian Tribune in the wake of the withdrawal of Niger Republic from ECOWAS, a former National President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Prince Olayiwola Shittu explained that he doesn’t see Niger Republic trans-shipment cargoes coming in through Lekki Port anymore.

According to Prince Olayiwola Shittu, “I don’t see the trans-shipment cargoes of Niger Republic coming in through Lekki Port because of what is going on in ECOWAS. Don’t forget that all the three countries that pulled out of ECOWAS are francophone countries and are landlocked.

“With the withdrawal of Niger Republic from ECOWAS, their importers might be told to also go back to Cotonou Port to mover their trans-shipment cargoes. You know Niger Republic and Benin Republic are both francophone countries. However, Niger Republic will face the backlash more because they depend on Nigeria for electricity and trade. Its an ongoing development that we are watching unfold.”

Also speaking, a former National President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Eugene Nweke explained that from time immemorial, Niger Republic had always preferred Cotonou or Lome for their trans-shipment cargoes.
[b]
“The Niger Republic had always preferred to use Lome and Cotonou Ports for their trans-shipment cargoes in the past. Yes, last year they said they will start using Nigeria, but with what is happening in ECOWAS politically today, that promise might no longer be feasible. However, that looks insignificant to me judging by the volume of cargoes that they trans-ship, which is very low,” [/b]Chief Eugene Nweke explained.

https://tribuneonlineng.com/ecowas-exit-niger-republic-importers-may-dump-nigerian-ports-over-agents/

Better, because we will never dredge the river Niger or small vessels from there to the north, how can we do what will benefit Onitsha river port?

Never.

Next news please .

Let's just express shock and move on.

I don't think Nigeria depends on them

Due to the Nigerian government poor system of governance and unfavourable conditions I guess.

Thus country has gone to the dogs indeed and only God can redeem the whole system

They should do what suits them, after all that will give space for more better investors..... Yeye pple

Niger Republic, Mali, and Burkina Faso leaving ECOWAS may make Niger reconsider using Nigerian ports. The political turmoil within ECOWAS could affect their earlier plan to use Lekki Port. The withdrawal may hit Niger harder as they rely on Nigeria for electricity and trade.

More woos for us

I like their idea. Any well meaning country must not be too dependent on another country.
That thing dey cause see finish.

It might be expensive at first for them, but in the long run it will pay off and they will have their self respect.

Good, it will help decongest the port

Sad

Na Niger 🇳🇪 dey treating us
Hmm
Small yansh dey shake oo

Haha .. a nation filled with highly decorated certificate holders but still can't find solution for 60 odd years... Ain't that a damn shame !

When you fight your brothers to impress a faraway outsider. The problem you create will only affect you and your brother, not the outsider

Wow...

Meanwhile, this number is using my friend's picture to sc@m and sw!ndle people on Tinder.

Amarachi Steph...

What is the Economic importance of the three rogue nations?

This is a Geopolitical issue.

BigBlackPreek:
Due to the Nigerian government poor system of governance and unfavourable conditions I guess.

Thus country has gone to the dogs indeed and only God can redeem the whole system

It will only make importation costly for them.

They loose.

That is what happens when there is Ebola in a country

Which of them we dey supply Nepa light to?
Abeg make dem disconnect them and add to our grid, I no see reason why they will have light and me wey dey pay bill monthly no see light use

Na dem go suffer.

dre11:


https://tribuneonlineng.com/ecowas-exit-niger-republic-importers-may-dump-nigerian-ports-over-agents/

This man doesn’t know what he is saying.

Is Coutonu not part of ECOWAS?

..and cut off river niger

How far with the railway line when buhari build to from Niger to Nigeria

Be like say na voice mail I dey see o

BigBlackPreek:
Due to the Nigerian government poor system of governance and unfavourable conditions I guess.

Thus country has gone to the dogs indeed and only God can redeem the whole system

Your inferiority complex will not allow you to be objective. Niger and co. are the losers here because their business is very insignificant compared to the volume of business from other countries.
Na them go suffer.

Balablu , our military for collect woto
Nigerien military was ready for war. Tinubu doesn't know diplomacy, he thought is Owo mida approach were dimwit touts will be screaming ah ah ah ah ah ah

Lol

They’ll come back crying! Silly decision with no good plans

dre11:


https://tribuneonlineng.com/ecowas-exit-niger-republic-importers-may-dump-nigerian-ports-over-agents/

FLYFIRE:
That is what happens when there is Ebola in a country

Olodo.

Go back and read the post again

They were importing through Benin republic. With Leekki port, they are considering switching to Nigeria, but one guy thinks because of ECOWAS exit they may choose to remain with Benin since they speak the same language. It’s their loss. Nigeria would have been cheaper. And Benin is still an ECOWAS state.

Illiterates all over this forum.

The federal government already sanctioned

Them already.

aspabay:
It will only make importation costly for them.

They loose.

Hmmm, who told you? They are considering using Nigeria port. Cotonou is closer and even cheaper to them, the only thing that will make them to abandon cotonou is if there's any favorable arrangements

system21:

Hmmm, who told you?

What do you know.

Take time to read the post again. This time slowly. And tell me what other options they have to import as a landlocked country.