The withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has weakened key regional integration mechanisms and created a major challenge for cooperation in West Africa, the Presidency said.
Sunday Dare, President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, made the remarks on Thursday at a policy colloquium organised by the Ministry of Defence in Abuja.
The three Sahel countries formally left ECOWAS in January 2025 after announcing in 2024 that they intended to withdraw from the regional bloc. They have since strengthened their cooperation through the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
According to Dare, the withdrawal disrupted regional mechanisms, particularly ECOWAS protocols designed to promote economic integration and facilitate the movement of goods and services among member states.
“The rupture that occurred in 2025, when the countries withdrew from ECOWAS, created a major regional crisis,” he said, adding that the development had also led to the emergence of the AES as a rival regional framework.
He stressed the importance of effective border management for both economic integration and regional security, describing national borders as an essential frontline for maintaining stability. He said well-managed borders can support legitimate trade and movement while strengthening security, whereas weak border controls can create opportunities for instability and other security threats.
Dare also rejected claims that Nigeria’s borders were closed, saying they remained open but were subject to necessary controls by the relevant government agencies.
“Nigeria’s borders are open,” he said, warning politicians against turning border security into a campaign issue or using it to score political points.
He explained that open borders should not be interpreted as unrestricted freedom of movement, noting that immigration, customs and other security agencies remained responsible for regulating activities at the country’s entry and exit points.
“Our borders are critical. There are no open borders without controls. So you must understand that there is a distinction,” he said.
Credit: LIB
