Nigeria has approved the delivery of 300 petrol trucks to Niger Republic as the fuel crisis deepens across the West African nation.
The approval follows an urgent request from Niger, which sought Nigeria’s intervention to alleviate severe fuel shortages threatening to escalate into civil unrest.
This move comes despite more than a year of diplomatic tensions between the two neighboring countries. Niger has faced growing isolation since the military junta, led by General Abdourahmane Tchiani, ousted President Mohamed Bazoum and subsequently withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) alongside Mali and Burkina Faso.
According to The Punch, a delegation of senior Nigerien officials traveled to Abuja to meet with Nigerian government representatives. After deliberations, the Nigerian government reportedly approved the shipment of 300 trucks of petrol to Niger.
A source in Abuja described the fuel supply as a “strategic bargaining tool” in ongoing negotiations with the Nigerien government.
“We don’t want to make a big announcement about it. Instead, we are using it as leverage to encourage their return to ECOWAS. By providing support, we hope to gradually reintegrate them, as they lack the resources to independently sustain their citizens,” the source told The Punch.
Niger’s fuel shortages have led to skyrocketing prices. Reports indicate that in Konni, a border town between Nigeria and Niger, a liter of petrol sells for 1,200 CFA (N2,500). In Agadez, the price reaches 3,000 CFA (N7,500), while in Arlit, near the Algerian border, fuel costs 3,500 CFA (N8,750) per liter.
The crisis has been exacerbated by a financial dispute between Niger’s ruling junta and Chinese oil companies operating in the country. The confrontation reportedly stems from Niger’s failure to repay a $400 million debt to the Chinese firms.
In February 2025, Niger barred some Nigerians from entering its cities due to their possession of ECOWAS passports. Tensions further escalated after General Tchiani accused Nigeria of attempting to destabilize his government—an allegation strongly denied by Nigerian security and diplomatic officials.
Despite these hostilities, Nigeria’s decision to supply fuel to Niger highlights its continued efforts to maintain diplomatic engagement and regional stability.
