Tuggar: Exit of AES Countries Will Have Far-reaching Consequences for West Africa’s Security, Economy, Integration Efforts

By: Michael Mike

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar has warned that the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will have far-reaching consequences for regional security, economy, and integration efforts.

The minister in a statement on Wednesday by his spokesman, AlKasim AbdulKadir noted that the exit of these countries from ECOWAS is a complex issue that requires careful consideration and diplomatic efforts to address the underlying concerns.

The Minister stressed that the decision to impose sanctions on these countries was a collective one made by the ECOWAS Heads of States and Government, noting that President Bola Tinubu has been working tirelessly to address the concerns of these countries through diplomatic channels.

Tuggar said: Several delegations have been sent to these countries, and the presidents of Togo and Sierra Leone have been appointed as mediators to facilitate dialogue.

“Additionally, ECOWAS has lifted sanctions on these countries, paving the way for potential reconciliation.”

Tuggar also said, the security implications of this exit are a significant concern, as the region is already grappling with terrorism and humanitarian crises.

He said: “ECOWAS has established a 1650-man strong brigade to combat terrorism and offered financial assistance to support the affected countries in their fight against terrorism.

“The economic implications are also substantial, as these countries will no longer be part of the regional economic community, potentially limiting their access to markets and hindering economic growth.”

“The withdrawal may also disrupt regional integration efforts, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

“The African Union and other international organisations have expressed concerns about the potential impact on regional integration efforts and the stability of the continent.

The Minister emphasized the need for continued collaboration and cooperation to mitigate the challenges arising from this development.

He said: “The regional bloc has also offered support to the affected countries to address their security concerns.

“We recognize the challenges faced by these countries, and we are committed to providing assistance to help them address their security concerns.”

He also said the exit of these countries from ECOWAS has also raised concerns about the potential impact on regional health organisations.

He noted that: “The West African Health Organization (WAHO) is based in Burkina Faso, and its relocation could have significant implications for the region.

He however emphasized that the door remains open for these countries to rejoin the regional bloc. “We hope that they will take advantage of this opportunity to re-engage with their West African neighbors and work towards a more stable and prosperous future for all.” He said.

While reacting to uncertainty surrounding the future of the Alliance of Sahel States(AES) countries’ relationship with ECOWAS, Tuggar said with continued diplomacy, cooperation, and a commitment to the well-being of the people, it is possible to navigate these challenges and promote a more stable and prosperous West Africa.

“The region is at a critical juncture, and the decisions made in the coming months and years will have a lasting impact on the future of West Africa.

“As such, it is essential that leaders prioritize the needs and concerns of the people and work towards finding solutions that promote peace, stability, and prosperity.

“Ultimately, the future of the AES countries’ relationship with ECOWAS will depend on the ability of leaders to work together and find common ground.”

“As President Tinubu emphasized, the door remains open for these countries to rejoin the regional bloc, and it is hoped that they will take advantage of this opportunity to re-engage with their West African neighbors.” He said.

Tuggar: Exit of AES Countries Will Have Far-reaching Consequences for West Africa’s Security, Economy, Integration Efforts

NIGERIA: UN HIGH-LEVEL MISSION VISITS BAMA, BORNO STATE, AHEAD OF FIFTH LAKE CHAD BASIN GOVERNORS FORUM

By: Michael Mike

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Mr. Leonardo Santos Simão, the SRSG for the UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), Mr. Abdou Abarry, and the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Mr. Mohamed M. Fall, have visited Bama in Borno State, a day before the kick-off of the fifth Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum for Regional Cooperation on Stabilization, Peacebuilding, and Sustainable Development in Maiduguri.
 
The high-level officials highlighted the steady progress made in Bama. This includes joint Government, UN and partners efforts to provide internally displaced persons (IDPs) with humanitarian assistance and livelihood support and initiatives enhancing social cohesion and reintegration through social and economic activities. They also noted the challenges that remain including violence, the threat posed by the climate crisis, and inadequate basic services.
 
The officials visited a centre equipping young girls and boys with livelihood skills run by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and a UNICEF-run social cohesion project at the Government Senior Secondary School (GSSS) camp. In addition, they visited a nutrition centre supported by the World Food Programme (WFP) where malnourished children are receiving treatment. The officials also spoke with women and adolescent girls at a UNHCR/GISCOR Safe Space and met with representatives of humanitarian agencies in Bama. They also paid a courtesy call on the Shehu of Bama Dr. Umar Kyari Umar El-kanemi.
 
“I returned to Bama today, eight years since my last visit – which was a few months after it was liberated from the insurgency. A lot has changed since then, with marked improvement in the lives of people affected by the crisis. While there is still work to be done to address insecurity and its impact on civilians, I thank the Borno State authorities, donors, UN agencies and partners for their commitment and dedication through this journey that has made Bama what it is today. I also call for sustained support to address the remaining challenges,” said the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall.
 
Bama town remains vulnerable to attacks by non-state armed groups due to its proximity to the Sambisa Forest. This has made it difficult for communities to carry out livelihood activities, including farming, fishing and firewood collection. This has increased their dependence on humanitarian assistance.
 
Bama illustrates the situation of many communities across the Lake Chad Basin impacted by 16 years of conflict in the region.
 
The fifth Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum will be held from 29 to 31 January in Maiduguri. It aims to foster dialogue, coordination and cross-border cooperation among state and national governments, the UN, regional economic communities, civil society organizations, and other partners to address the pressing challenges facing the region and to devise strategies for long-term stability and development.

Resources for media: Photos of the UN high-level mission to Bama, Borno State
 
Notes to editor:

• The fifth Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum will be held from 29 to 31 Januaryin Maiduguri. It aims to foster dialogue, coordination and cross-border cooperation among state and national governments, the UN, regional economic communities, civil society organizations, and other partners to address the pressing challenges facing the region and to devise strategies for long-term stability and development.
• NIGERIA: UN HIGH-LEVEL MISSION VISITS BAMA, BORNO STATE, AHEAD OF FIFTH LAKE CHAD BASIN GOVERNORS FORUM

Ministry of Interior generated over N6.2 bn revenue last year, says Minister

…1,836,533 Passports Issued, 828 foreigners repatriated, 137 victims of trafficking intercepted

By: Michael Mike

Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has revealed that his ministry was able to contribute over N6 billion into the nation’s revenue during the 2024 fiscal year.

The minister made this disclosure during a media chat on the achievements of his minister during last year.

Tunji-Ojo who specifically gave N6,034,457,000 as the total revenue made with expatriate quota alone accruing about N3,220,035,000, marriages contributed N2,409,282,000 billion; citizenship and places of worship had N392,790,000 billion and N12,350,000 million respectively.

He noted that the increase was over 150 per cent from the previous year.

He acknowledged that the blockage and stoppage of revenue leakages through automation of processes was responsible for the lift, adding that now foreign applicants who applied for Nigerian citizenship are genuinely scrutinised before being granted their application.

He said: “The ministry inaugurated Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Champions/Reform Team who have successfully worked with Ease of Doing Business Secretariat (EBES) to harmonise and update records on the National Action Plan (NAP 7.0) reform initiatives which include: enforce service level agreement (SLA) for business permit application; enforce timeline for business permit application; enforce SLA timeline for expatriate quota (EQ) applications; enforce timeline for EQ applications.”

He added that the ministry has
commenced full operations in the newly-established Federal Marriage Registries in the following states: Jalingo, Taraba State; Akure, Ondo State; Ibadan, Oyo State; Makurdi, Benue State; Asaba, Delta State and Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The minister said the ministry is currently implementing the Performance Management System (PMS) which is one of the six pillars of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP2021-2025)—–a strategy that drives the first medium term plan, 2021-2025 of the Nigeria Agenda 2050 holistic reforms of the civil service.

“The PMS is a framework used to evaluate, manage and improve the employee performance in alignment with the National Service and mandate while innovating means and measures to achieving ministry’s mandate also” he explained.

The agencies under the Ministry of interior include, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Fire Service (NFS), Nigeria Immigration Service and National Identification Management Commission (NIMC) were involved in restructuring with
about 8,283 men and officers recruited into the NIS and the NSCDC in 2023, while 2,500 officers were recruited into the FFS in 2024.

The Minister said: “A key part of the ministry that has to do with the public is the department we call C and B. That is, Citizenship and Business. One of the first things we realised about the department is that the revenue generated wasn’t up to what is expected. So, the first thing we have to do is to create a process of optimising and automising it.”

The minister revealed that the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has issued 1,836,533 passports and repatriated 828 foreigners between January and December 2024.

Tunji-Ojo nited that other achievements recorded in the same period included the clearance of a backlog of over 200,000 passport application within three weeks in year 2024

“Then, of course, combating irregular migration is a major issue. In the last one year, 137 victims of trafficking were intercepted in 2024 and 42 objects of struggling, of migrants were also intercepted.

“828 foreigners were repatriated in 2024 by the Nigerian Immigration Service.

“Of course, when we came on board, we met a backlog of over 200,000 passports, you know, and in record time, in less than three weeks, we were able to clear that.

“In 2024, the Nigeria Immigration Service also issued 1,836,533,”he said.

In the realm of border security, the minister announced the completion of the first phase of the e-border solution, covering 40 per cent of the nation’s borders.

Tunji-Ojo said that secured borders ensure a safe nation adding that newly acquired vehicles and e-gates have been deployed to improve border management.

He also spoke about innovations in visa processing, including the establishment of a Visa Approval Center in Abuja and the integration of Interpol’s database for profiling applicants.

“This ensures only eligible individuals gain entry into Nigeria while strengthening national security,” he said.

The minister also spoke about reforms in granting Nigerian citizenship, which now involved a rigorous verification process in collaboration with security agencies.

“Becoming a Nigerian citizen today is a more transparent and technology-driven process. This ensures integrity without creating unnecessary bureaucracy,” he maintained..

Looking ahead, Tunji-Ojo pledged continued reforms, including improving operational efficiency and leveraging technology to meet national security and administrative goals.

“We are not yet where we want to be, but progress has been made, and we remain committed to delivering better services to Nigerians.

Tunji-Ojo said that the President, Bola Tinubu’s vision of a secure, innovative, and efficient system was being realised through these reforms. Nigerians deserve a system that works for them.

The interior minister at the parley provided a detailed account of accomplishments across the ministry and all its six agencies.

Ministry of Interior generated over N6.2 bn revenue last year, says Minister