IamAtikulate:

Most of these goods move through the sea. Rail is not necessary since we are already connected by sea and to an extent, dominating trade there.

I have attached a map of the trans-saharan trade route in the 1400. Niger is highlighted in yellow. You can see how strategic the country is to controlling trade in that area. With the Kano - Maradi rail, we aim to connect Niger to our domestic market, including the sea to have direct access to this market.

If we can make Niger a hub, then Nigeria will control sub-saharan trade.

flokii:
@OP If truly you want to be objective, you'd praise President Tinubu for preventing breakout of war with Niger when ECOWAS issued joint security statement. Mali and Burkina Faso would have joined with Niger to face Nigeria, then we'll have to battle economic challenges, internal security challenges and regional armed conflict with neighboring countries.. It would have been a disaster.

You should also factor-in the fact that Benin Republic is a small country able to tackle their internal issues unlike Nigeria where we play politics of religion and ethnicity.
Nigeria will bounce back and I see Niger coming to mend fences with the giant of Africa in the near future. I wonder why most people can't see the strength Nigeria wields in Africa and globally.
If only we could weed off the bad elements within us and elect the right leaders, I'm telling you Nigeria will be a world power and a force to reckon with on the planet.

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.

Enice:
keep spewing rubbish! Na mouth to build dam? If Nigeria and Niger goes to war, who do you think will win?
France is no longer with them. All international community with be with Nigeria except Russia. So who will win

christistruth01:



The Road Traffic is Massive and it avoids Traders the stress of Clearing goods in the Port

christistruth01:


We were trying to explain to him that Nigeria’s trade with Niger is insignificant compared to the trade with the rest of West Africa

flokii:
@OP If truly you want to be objective, you'd praise President Tinubu for preventing breakout of war with Niger when ECOWAS issued joint security statement. Mali and Burkina Faso would have joined with Niger to face Nigeria, then we'll have to battle economic challenges, internal security challenges and regional armed conflict with neighboring countries.. It would have been a disaster.

flokii:


You should also factor-in the fact that Benin Republic is a small country able to tackle their internal issues unlike Nigeria where we play politics of religion and ethnicity.
Nigeria will bounce back and I see Niger coming to mend fences with the giant of Africa in the near future. I wonder why most people can't see the strength Nigeria wields in Africa and globally.
If only we could weed off the bad elements within us and elect the right leaders, I'm telling you Nigeria will be a world power and a force to reckon with on the planet.

IamAtikulate:

It's not bigotry. We used to see Yorubas as smart people and sadly, the way some of them argue here is forcing us to change that opinion.

IamAtikulate:

Yoruba man avoid me please.

Who is talking about war? walai, some of una reasoning is scary. But the truth is, if Niger wakes up tomorrow to start building dam across the Niger like Ethiopia is doing on the Nile, you won't do anything. BTW, Nigeria broke the over 50-year agreement governing the use of Niger for generating electricity.

IamAtikulate:

Did you graduate from a SW university?

No offence.

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.

IamAtikulate:

Tinubu didn't stop any war with Niger. ECOWAS force was already on standby. If the North, their senators nd governors had not rejected it, Tinubu would have invaded Niger to flex his muscle.


Geopolitics is all about interest. What leverage does Nigeria have to bring Niger to the table? Nothing, except mass deportation of Nigeriens from Nigeria and they have several deterrence:

- Complete damming of the Niger river

- Closing their airspace against Nigeria in and out bound flights

- Sabotaging of the Nigeria - Morroco gas pipeline

- Flooding of our northern borders with terrorists.

- Military cooperation with the Alliance of Sahel States

Tinubu destroyed our biggest leverage by shutting our borders against them.

christistruth01:


We were trying to explain to him that Nigeria’s trade with Niger is insignificant compared to the trade with the rest of West Africa

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.

Enice:
Oga! Stop spewing trash like a kid on the net. Nigeria will never allow Niger to build a dam across the River Niger. There's a treaty to that effect. We will colonize Niger overnight.

dawno2008:

Your stoopidity smells to the high havens,just having a chat with one person,you decided to generalize and insult a whole tribe,using "walai" can't even help save you from your faking it

Yoruba will always be ahead, either you like it or not,hate the game,not the player,dumbskul
Trying so hard to sound intelligent,you criticize the damn government,as if your candidate would've done anything different, 💩shit brain

flokii:


I had to check your moniker to see where your loyalty lies..

flokii:


Niger republic is a landlocked country..

flokii:


Niger republic has nothing as far as sensible Nigerians are concerned.. we don't need a first class railway to Niamey for terrorists to be coming into Nigeria in fully airconditioned trains..

flokii:


Niger republic is not of economic importance to Nigeria.. they rely on our ports and electricity, we don't rely on anything from Niger republic..

flokii:


You are crying now that Benin republic sabotaged Nigeria.. why didn't you call Buhari to order when he shut Benin republic and the other West African countries out of Nigeria?.
You expect them not to find alternatives or forge alliance with other countries?

flokii:


The same way it's paining you people that Nigeria shut border with Niger republic is the same way people in the Southern parts weren't happy when Buhari shut out Benin republic.

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.

flokii:


Don't mind the guy.. they want to continue enriching another country with Nigeria's commonwealth while Nigerians especially those in the oil-rich Niger Delta region continue to suffer untold hardship, oil spillage, pollution, environmental degradation. etc.

Nigeria's wealth will and must be used to develop all regions in Nigeria including SW, SE, SS, Middle Belt, NW etc. first before any foreign country will benefit.

BoldBrainz:


You're not a serious fellow.

They are traitors for doing what's in the best interest of their own country? Benin should focus on playing silly petty politics and losing 5billion dollars worth of trade that is a massive plus for their economy?

It is this same mentality you're carrying that is reflecting on the way our useless leaders are mismanaging this country. Since your country's president has decided to be foolish in his approach towards our neighbouring countries, don't expect other countries to reason likewise.

Treachery my black flat butt!

IamAtikulate:

What they did is not noble.

Supporting Nigeria all the way to impose sanction on Niger. And then opening their borders to Niger, knowing that the move will hurt Nigeria is not what friends do to each other.

I won't have cared if they had stayed neutral.

If Benin had not opened their borders to Niger, there's no way Niger would have exited ECOWAS, because they need those ECOWAS ports to run their economy.

If Tinubu gets sense, he should be in Nigeria by now, pulling all diplomatic strings to force Benin to abide by the ECOWAS resolution they were part of.

BoldBrainz:


Did Benin Republic send Tinubu to impose sanctions on Niger Republic? Tinubu saw the need to flex muscles and interfere in the internal affairs of a sovereign nation and Benin's support was only a matter of "communal necessity" being a member of Ecowas. Nothing prevents Benin from deciding to do business with Niger republic.

Who cares for nobility when all nations are fighting to stay afloat in the face of global economic struggles?! Even the US, the so-called ultimate seat of democracy is currently still doing business with Niger republic, have you gone to accuse them of treachery?

Tinubu is foolish and this is what you get when you have a leader who talks or acts before reasoning.

IamAtikulate:

Now how do we remedy this situation?

Many of us in Kano relies on Niger buyers to hit good numbers. I have goods that transit to Niger from Aba through Kano, monthly.

Tinubu's stooopid moves are hurting us and will cut us off this market if don't solve this problem soon.

And we are not cut out for smuggling?

Trying to move the goods through Chad into Niger is dangerous and expensive. And when you look at it deeper, its also smuggling.

We don't want this.

Alternatively, we can move them to Niger through Benin. But its even more expensive.

Cotonou to Niamey is over 1030 KM and when you add Aba to Lagos and Lagos to Cotonou, that will double the transit time.

I don't want to even talk about logistical costs.

God will help us.

BoldBrainz:


Northerners should put pressure on their governors and representatives in the national parliament, so they in turn can coerce that Aso rock relic to open the Niger borders to allow for free flow of economic activities. Clearly, the Ecowas as a West African body has lost relevance. You cannot punish citizens because of the pride of one stupid association that has never added any relevance to the member states.

Enice:
keep spewing rubbish! Na mouth to build dam? If Nigeria and Niger goes to war, who do you think will win?
France is no longer with them. All international community with be with Nigeria except Russia. So who will win