It pains me when I see people dismissing Niger's exit from ECOWAS. Their argument has always been that the move will hurt Niger more than Nigeria since they depend largely on Nigeria for their imports.

This would have been true if Benin Republic is not sabotaging Nigeria and ECOWAS.

Here's the back story:

Niger's military ceased power Q4 of last year. ECOWAS moved in to restore constitutional order. As part of efforts to squeeze the junta to return power to elected government, Nigeria-led ECOWAS imposed several sanctions, including shutting their borders.

The two most prominent faces were that of Nigeria and Benin presidents.

But December 28, Benin unilaterally lifted all suspensions on imported goods transiting to Niger through the Cotonou port. This was about a month after Niger competed the Niger - Benin pipeline that will allow them export their crude reserve through the port.

Fast forward to January 2024, Niger pulled out of ECOWAS.

Meaning?

Benin deceived Nigeria to shut its borders against Niger, on the pretense it was standing with ECOWAS resolution against Niger. And then goes around to open their borders to the same Niger, effectively isolating Nigeria.

Here's the catch.

In 2022, Niger exported USD 1.256 billion in goods, and imported USD 3.802 billion. With this move, Benin has succeeded in isolating Nigeria's ports from handling Niger's annual USD 5 billion international trade. That's not even all. The same year, Nigeria imported $33.43m worth of goods and exported goods worth $192.91m to Niger.

Now, use your calculator to see the amount of money we are about to lose due to this misguided geopolitics.

Besides, Benin treachery means we are now completely surrounded by unfriendly neigbours - Benin in the West, Niger in the North and Cameroon in the east.

Now, what if Niger decides to build dam across the Niger River to generate electricity? Nigeria now lacks leverage and non-kinetic deterrence.

While our president was busy shouting "constitutional order," our Benin neighbours were busy working behind the scene to strength their relationship with Niger Republic and completely isolate Nigeria.

The most painful thing is remedying this problem will not be a walk in the park. First, importing through Benin is far cheaper and the distance from Apapa to Niamey is about 36 KM longer than from Cotonou port to Niamey.

We have lost Niger and their trade FOEVER.

Well done, Tinubu.

Hmmmmmm

Do you blame Benin Republic?

solex75:
Do you blame Benin Republic?

Yes.

They are traitors. You don't stand with Nigeria and ECOWAS in the morning and then sneak in to the enemies at night to negotiate agreements you are fully aware will hurt the person you stood with in the morning.

That's serious.

Don't worry, the master strategist himself will fix this..

But then Niamey, the Capital of Niger is closer to Benin republic than Lagos,
also no traffic conjecture, which means they will receive their goods sharpaly.

Benin Republic is doing what is best for their country.

Leave Benin Republic alone. Benin Republic is not our problem, in fact we are their problem.

IamAtikulate:

Yes.

They are traitors. You don't stand with Nigeria and ECOWAS in the morning and then sneak in to the enemies at night to negotiate agreements you are fully aware will hurt the person you stood with in the morning.

Dey there dey blame Benin Republic for been smart instead of blaming the idiot parading himself as your president along with his incompetent criminal gang...!!

IamAtikulate:

Yes.

They are traitors. You don't stand with Nigeria and ECOWAS in the morning and then sneak in to the enemies at night to negotiate agreements you are fully aware will hurt the person you stood with in the morning.

International politics is all about interest: it's not a playground for emotions.

[

Don’t you want the resources wasted on the Railway from Kano to Niger back?
Buhari used Ecowas Membership to justify the Railway between Kano and Maradi,Niger

Taraba needs a Railway from Jalingo to Makurdi and Abuja, it currently has none

Niger just did Taraba a big Favour

Kano Maradi Railway doesn’t need to go ahead anymore they should just put Buses on that route

and concentrate on building a Railway between Taraba and Abuja where It is needed more

The Other alternative is to Link Jalingo Taraba Capital through Makurdi to Jos by Railway


FG should link Gembu in Taraba to Jalingo through Makurdi to Abuja by Railway instead since Niger has pulled out of Ecowas


Gembu can become an African International Tourist Attraction that Rivals the Kenyan Safari

FG should build that Railway


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSSdXK758Eo?si=roOAeoAo6irsCooG

Even a lone dog is fearless in attacking a dying elephant.

IamAtikulate:
It pains me when I see people dismissing Niger's exit from ECOWAS. Their argument has always been that the move will hurt Niger more than Nigeria since they depend largely on Nigeria for their imports.

This would have been true if Benin Republic is not sabotaging Nigeria and ECOWAS.

Here's the back story:

Niger's military ceased power Q4 of last year. ECOWAS moved in to restore constitutional order. As part of efforts to squeeze the junta to return power to elected government, Nigeria-led ECOWAS imposed several sanctions, including shutting their borders.

The two most prominent faces were that of Nigeria and Benin presidents.

But December 28, Benin unilaterally lifted all suspensions on imported goods transiting to Niger through the Cotonou port. This was about a month after Niger competed the Niger - Benin pipeline that will allow them export their crude reserve through the port.

Fast forward to January 2024, Niger pulled out of ECOWAS.

Meaning?

Benin deceived Nigeria to shut its borders against Niger, on the pretense it was standing with ECOWAS resolution against Niger. And then goes around to open their borders to the same Niger, effectively isolating Nigeria.

Here's the catch.

In 2022, Niger exported USD 1.256 billion in goods, and imported USD 3.802 billion. With this move, Benin has succeeded in isolating Nigeria's ports from handling Niger's annual USD 5 billion international trade. That's not even all. The same year, Nigeria imported $33.43m worth of goods and exported goods worth $192.91m to Niger.

Now, use your calculator to see the amount of money we are about to lose due to this misguided geopolitics.

Besides, Benin treachery means we are now completely surrounded by unfriendly neigbours - Benin in the West, Niger in the North and Cameroon in the east.

Now, what if Niger decides to build dam across the Niger River to generate electricity? Nigeria now lacks leverage and non-kinetic deterrence.

While our president was busy shouting "constitutional order," our Benin neighbours were busy working behind the scene to strength their relationship with Niger Republic and completely isolate Nigeria.

The most painful thing is remedying this problem will not be a walk in the park. First, importing through Benin is far cheaper and the distance from Apapa to Niamey is about 36 KM longer than from Cotonou port to Niamey.

We have lost Niger and their trade FOEVER.

Well done, Tinubu.

That's what you get for electing a geo-politically naive drug trafficker to be president. Like were you expecting any different?

Geopolitics is conducted on the basis of interest, foremost of which are economic interests. But mugu Tinubu's own is to form "restoring democracy" on behalf of his French master. You never see anything yet.

hodari:

That's what you get for electing a geo-politically naive drug trafficker to be president. Like were you expecting any different?

Geopolitics is conducted on the basis of interest, foremost of which are economic interests. But mugu Tinubu's own is to form "restoring democracy" on behalf of his French master. You never see anything yet.

I have a product that moves from Aba to Niger through Kano state.

I am very scared what this (Niger exiting ECOWAS and Benin opening their borders to them) means to us.

The volume of goods that move to Niger from Kano is too big for us to sweep this Benin threat under the carpet.

Most big traders in Kano make their money through trans-sahel trade, which Niger is key to.

Tinubu is not wise, walai

christistruth01:
[

Don’t you want the resources wasted on the Railway from Kano to Niger back?
Buhari used Ecowas Membership to justify the Railway between Kano and Maradi,Niger

Taraba needs a Railway from Jalingo to Makurdi and Abuja, it currently has none

Niger just did Taraba a big Favour

Kano Maradi Railway doesn’t need to go ahead anymore they should just put Buses on that route

and concentrate on building a Railway between Taraba and Abuja where It is needed more

The Other alternative is to Link Jalingo Taraba Capital through Makurdi to Jos by Railway


FG should link Gembu to Jalingo and Makurdi to Abuja by Railway instead since Niger has pulled out of Ecowas

Niger imports over $3 billion of goods through Lagos port. Nigeria exports nearly $200m worth goods to Nigeria.

That rail is our effort to lock in those trade and control trans-sahel trade through Niger, via Kano.

We that do business in Kano understand the essence of that rail

There's a global economic crunch and you're expecting a tiny, third world country to ignore $5 billion in trade because of an argument wey no get head

IamAtikulate:

I have a product that moves from Aba to Niger through Kano state.

I am very scared what this (Niger exiting ECOWAS and Benin opening their borders to them) means to us.

The volume of goods that move to Niger from Kano is too big for us to sweep this Benin threat under the carpet.

Most big traders in Kano make their money through trans-sahel trade, which Kano is key to.

Tinubu is not wise, walai

you guys should immediately summon your senators and reps members, trade minister and the permanent secretaries of your states and tell them your grievances which must be transmitted to the president immediately. We've already lost the leverage we thought we had due to the massive egos and lethargic nature of those that imposed the harebrained sanctions, what we should think of is to save the masses from hunger immediately. No one dare suggest attacking Benin republic because that one na madness but it's not beyond these people

IamAtikulate:


Niger imports over $3 billion of goods through Lagos port. Nigeria exports nearly $200m worth goods to Nigeria.

That rail is our effort to lock in those trade and control trans-sahel trade through Niger, via Kano.

We that do business in Kano understand the essence of that rail

The value of Trade between Cotonou and Lagos far outstrips that and the FG didn’t build it there
The Mambilla Plateau in Taraba has huge Potential

Do you know that Sappphires Gold and Emeralds are in commercial quantities in Taraba?

The Railway between Mambila Plateau and Abuja will Pay for itself in no time

It is the Equivalent of Linking New York to California in the 19th Century

Taraba is going to be a Super Star


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9UymgPCFZY?si=IyOYY20frHkmmBbh

Nigeria is blessed with smart people but how they end up having clueless leaders is beyond me.
What the Benin President did is what every patriotic leader will do. Take decisions based on the countries interest first.
An opportunity showed up and he simply grabbed it .
I can tell you for a fact that even the Nigerian leaders do not believe in Nigeria.
They only believe in enriching theirpockets and political and tribal cronies.

christistruth01:



The value of Trade between Cotonou and Lagos far outstrips that and the FG didn’t build it there

That's not true.

Nigeria - Benin trade is not more than $150 m.

Again, Benin is not and has never been a strategic trade route.

christistruth01:


The Mambilla Plateau in Taraba has huge Potential

Do you know that Sappphires Gold and Emeralds are in commercial quantities in Taraba?

The Railway between Mambila Plateau and Abuja will Pay for itself in no time

It is the Equivalent of Linking New York to California in the 19th Century

Taraba is going to be a Super Star


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9UymgPCFZY?si=IyOYY20frHkmmBbh

We are talking about controlling trans-sahelian trade through Niger and you're talking about Sapphire and Emerald.

Why is nobody challenging this beer parlor gist from the OP?

@IamAtikulate provide a reliable source for your information for the so-called Benin sabotage.
The ECOWAS resolution is public document.
Kindly educate on the part of the resolution that Benin Republic has reneged on.

I am sure you are not aware that some goods meant for Benin Republic are actually through Lagos.

ivolt:
Why is nobody challenging this beer parlor gist from the OP?

@OP provide a reliable source for your information for the so-called Benin sabotage.
The ECOWAS resolution is public document.
Kindly educate on the part of the resolution that Benin Republic has reneged on.

I am sure you are not aware that some goods meant for Benin Republic are actually through Lagos.

Leave your brown roof huts and travel but you said no.

Let me break it down for you with questions:

1. Was there a coup in Niger?

2. Did ECOWAS sanctioned Niger, including shutting their borders?

3. Was Benin President in Abuja twice to give support to the ECOWAS resolution?

4. Has Benin lifted all suspension of imported goods to Niger from Cotonou port?

5. Is Niger now going to export their crude through Cotonou?

6. Is going behind ECOWAS to lift suspensions on Niger imports, when you know that most of those goods traditionally pass through Nigerian ports, not sabotage?

7. Doesn't Nigeria export nearly $200m worth of goods to Niger?

I know you want to defend the failure you voted for, please do it with sense.

IamAtikulate:

That's not true.

Nigeria - Benin trade is not more than $150 m.

Again, Benin is not and has never been a strategic trade route.



We are talking about controlling trans-sahelian trade through Niger and you're talking about Sapphire and Emerald.

the Truth is

Trade between Cotonou and Nigeria outstrips trade between Nigeria and Niger many times over

Trade between Cotonou and Nigeria is coming from Benin Republic , Ghana Togo Ivory Coast Liberia Gambia even the Guinea and Senegal they are all along that West African highway

Seme is the busiest Border Route in West Africa

christistruth01:
that is the Truth

Trade between Contonou and Nigeria outstrips trade between Nigeria and Niger many times over

It's not.

IamAtikulate:

It's not.

Let me explain it to you again


Trade going through Cotonou into Nigeria is coming from Benin Republic , Ghana Togo Ivory Coast Liberia Gambia even the Guinea and Senegal they are all along that busy commercial West African highway coming into Nigeria

That is why Seme is the busiest Border Route in West Africa

The Nigeria Niger Traffic cannot compare with Nigeria Ghana Commercial Traffic alone not even including the other West African Countries along that route
Niger doesn’t even come near it


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTZUncyNlh0?si=lWLkCRSya9EVHbL1

christistruth01:

the Truth is

Trade between Cotonou and Nigeria outstrips trade between Nigeria and Niger many times over

Trade between Cotonou and Nigeria is coming from Benin Republic , Ghana Togo Ivory Coast Liberia Gambia even the Guinea and Senegal they are all along that West African highway

Seme is the busiest Border Route in West Africa

Another lie.

Trade between Cotonou and Nigeria is not coming from those countries you mentioned. They trade directly with Nigeria.

Benin is just a transit route, and nothing more.

The busiest border is Alfao - Lome border. Togo is the trading hub of West Africa and not Cotonou.

See the attached image.

We are already connected to them by sea, so no need building a rail line.

What Togo is in West of WA is what we want to achieve with Niger, North of WA with that rail.

Pulling it off will help us control TRANS-SAHEL TRADE.

Smart Benin just isolated us from this market by opening their borders and sea ports to Niger and allowing their export crude pipeline through their land.

IamAtikulate:

Leave your brown roof huts and travel but you said no.

I knew you have nothing upstairs, this just confirmed it.
I see your ego is hurt because you thought you will be applauded for
posting useless rumors presented as facts here.

Let me break it down for you with questions:

1. Was there a coup in Niger?

2. Did ECOWAS sanctioned Niger, including shutting their borders?

3. Was Benin President in Abuja twice to give support to the ECOWAS resolution?

How is this relevant to the blatant lies and misrepresentation you typed above?

4. Has Benin lifted all suspension of imported goods to Niger from Cotonou port?

You made the claim, you provide the source!

5. Is Niger now going to export their crude through Cotonou?

When is now?
currently, 1 year or 5 years time?
FYI, discussions on Niger-Benin crude pipeline has been in the works
years before the coup plotters strike.
Again, show that Benin republic now enjoys a increased crude export from Niger, post-coup.

6. Is going behind ECOWAS to lift suspensions on Niger imports, when you know that most of those goods traditionally pass through Nigerian ports, not sabotage?

You are lying once more. Prove me wrong by showing any reliable source that claims that Benin republic have lifted
all suspensions on Niger imports.
Contrary to your claims. Benin has always been a major transit route for Niger goods.

7. Doesn't Nigeria export nearly $200m worth of goods to Niger?

How is this relevant ?

Your topic claim that Benin is sabotaging Nigeria.
No need for epistle, just show evidence that Benin republic's export of
goods to Niger has increased post-coup. That should not be too hard for
you omnipresent itinerant to do, should it?

Next time, choose your audience wisely when concocting fairy tales.

IamAtikulate:

Another lie.

Trade between Cotonou and Nigeria is not coming from those countries you mentioned. They trade directly with Nigeria.

Benin is just a transit route, and nothing more.

The busiest border is Alfao - Lome border. Togo is the trading hub of West Africa and not Cotonou.

See the attached image.

We are already connected to them by sea, so no need building a rail line.

What Togo is in West of WA is what we want to achieve with Niger, North of WA with that rail.

Pulling it off will help us control TRANS-SAHEL TRADE.

Smart Benin just isolated us from this market by opening their borders and sea ports to Niger and allowing their export crude pipeline through their land.

Your claim of $3 billon trade between Nigeria and. Niger was a lie

Exactly that is why the Railway was supposed to link Lagos and Cotonou because it was a major transit point for many West African nations Trade into Nigeria

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTZUncyNlh0?si=lWLkCRSya9EVHbL1

ivolt:

I knew you have nothing upstairs, this just confirmed it.

Like I said, it's okay to defend the failure you voted for without sounding Stoopid.

ivolt:

I see your ego is hurt because you thought you will be applauded for
posting useless rumors presented as facts here.

It's rumour because your brain can't process the information.

ivolt:

How is this relevant to the blatant lies and misrepresentation you typed above?


You made the claim, you provide the source!

You want me to litter the posts with external links to get banned by antispam not?

Insane.

ivolt:


When is now?
currently, 1 year or 5 years time?
FYI, discussions on Niger-Benin crude pipeline has been in the works
years before the coup plotters strike.

Everybody knows that. But if you get sense you should have asked why Benin lifted the suspension barely a month after the completion of the project.

ivolt:

Again, show that Benin republic now enjoys a increased crude export from Niger, post-coup.

Export will start February. Again, they are not exporting to Benin, instead through Benin ports.

ivolt:

You are lying once more. Prove me wrong by showing any reliable source that claims that Benin republic have lifted
all suspensions on Niger imports.
Contrary to your claims.

Suspension was lifted December 28. About a month later, Niger left ECOWAS.

ivolt:

Benin has always been a major transit route for Niger goods.

The reason we started building those rail ways to control those trade.

ivolt:

No need for epistle, just show evidence that Benin republic's export of
goods to Niger has increased post-coup. That should not be too hard for
you omnipresent itinerant to do, should it?

Already, answered the question above.

ivolt:


Next time, choose your audience wisely when concocting fairy tales.

You are right. You are too lacking in experience to understand Niger - Nigeria trade relationships.

Again, you are ignorant and grossly misinformed about happenings in WA, especially, as it pertains to Benin, Niger, and Nigeria.

God will help you.

christistruth01:


Your claim of $3 billon trade between Nigeria and. Niger was a lie

I said Niger's total IMPORT. When you add their nearly $2 billion export, that's about $5 billion in international trade.

Our ports should be handling those goods. That's one of the reasons Jonathan started that rail project.

christistruth01:


Exactly that is why the Railway was supposed to link Lagos and Cotonou because it was a major transit point for many West African nations Trade into Nigeria

Then go and build it.

You want to challenge Togo that's already an established trading hub when trans-sahel trade is a blue ocean?

Our Yoruba brothers can do better.

IamAtikulate:

Like I said, it's okay to defend the failure you voted for without sounding Stoopid.

It's rumour because your brain can't process the information.

The problem with local champions like you is that you think every other person
is just like you.

Your posts have been trashed already and your response have further exposed
you as mere political jobber speculating on topic area you are utterly ignorant on.

Processing and accepting lies are 2 different things.

To a delusional mind like yours, all information are truths and must be accepted!