With Nowhere Else to Turn, Niger Begs Nigeria for Fuel Amid Severe Shortages

By: Zagazola Makama

For nearly two weeks, Niger Republic has been crippled by a severe fuel crisis, bringing vehicular movement and economic activity to a grinding halt. Long queues stretched across cities, with desperate motorists and businesses struggling to obtain a few liters of petrol. The situation was so dire that the military junta, which once prided itself on rejecting external influence, had no choice but to swallow its pride and turn to Nigeria for help.

Despite months of hostile rhetoric and diplomatic friction, Niger’s rulers quietly dispatched their Minister of Petroleum and Renewable Energy, along with top officials from the Niger Petroleum Company (SONIDEP), to beg Abuja for urgent fuel supplies. Nigeria, ever the regional big brother, obliged, approving the immediate delivery of 300 fuel trucks across the border to Niamey.

Niger’s fuel crisis didn’t happen overnight. It was the direct consequence of a disastrous confrontation between the ruling junta and Chinese oil companies, which have long dominated Niger’s petroleum sector. The trouble began in March 2024, when China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) granted the Nigerien government a $400 million advance, using future crude oil deliveries as collateral. This deal was meant to help Niger cope with the crippling economic sanctions imposed by ECOWAS following the July 2023 coup. However, when it came time to repay the debt, the junta found itself strapped for cash.

Rather than negotiating, the military rulers decided to strong-arm China. In a move that stunned industry insiders, they slapped an $80 billion tax demand on SORAZ (Zinder Refinery Company) despite the state-owned Sonidep already owing SORAZ a staggering $250 billion. When China refused to provide additional loans, the junta retaliated by expelling Chinese oil executives from the country and seizing SORAZ’s bank accounts.

A Self-Inflicted Crisis

This reckless decision backfired almost immediately. Niger’s entire petroleum sector which is heavily reliant on Chinese expertise and investment began to collapse. The SORAZ refinery, the lifeline of Niger’s fuel supply, ground to a halt, and fuel shortages spread like wildfire.
This crisis could not have come at a worse time. The Niger-Benin oil pipeline, a project designed to boost Niger’s crude exports to 100,000 barrels per day by 2025, was also at risk. With Chinese engineers gone and no viable alternative in place, the junta’s decision plunged the country into economic uncertainty.

Turning to Nigeria for Help

For weeks, the military leadership refused to acknowledge the crisis publicly. State-controlled media was ordered to stay silent about the fuel shortage and the growing unrest among Nigeriens, who were forced to buy petrol at sky-high black-market prices.

But as the situation worsened, the junta had no choice but to seek external help even if it meant approaching Nigeria, the very country they had repeatedly criticized since the coup.
Without any public announcement, Niger quietly sent a delegation to Abuja, appealing for an emergency fuel supply. The irony was lost on no one this was the same junta that had openly defied ECOWAS sanctions, severed ties with France and the West, and aligned itself with Russia. Yet when faced with economic collapse, it was Nigeria that they turned to for salvation.

Nigeria Plays the Good Neighbor Again

Despite months of insults, false accusations, name calling, diplomatic snubs, and hostility, Nigeria once again stepped in to help. It was gathered that the Nigerian Government approved the release of 300 fuel trucks, which immediately began crossing into Niger to ease the crisis.

The junta, however, remains too proud to admit its dependency. While fuel shipments from Nigeria have already started alleviating the crisis, Niger’s state media has deliberately avoided reporting where the fuel is coming from. Instead, the government has attempted to portray the fuel availability as a result of its own internal measures a claim that many Nigeriens are beginning to question.

Will Nigeria Gain Diplomatic Leverage?

While Nigeria’s generosity is commendable, the real question remains: What does Nigeria get in return? Will this act of goodwill translate into improved diplomatic relations? Will Niger’s military rulers rethink their hostility toward ECOWAS? Or will they simply take the fuel and continue their defiance once the crisis subsides?

Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: when Niger was on the brink of disaster, it was Nigeria not Russia, not China, not any of its new allies that stepped up to provide relief.

For now, Niger has been forced to acknowledge an uncomfortable truth: no matter how much they try to distance themselves from Nigeria, they remain dependent on their bigger neighbor.

And whether the junta admits it or not, Nigeria remains the lifeline Niger cannot afford to sever.

Zagazola Makama is a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad Region

With Nowhere Else to Turn, Niger Begs Nigeria for Fuel Amid Severe Shortages

VP Shettima Attributes Nigeria’s New Growth Trajectory To President Tinubu’s Bold Leadership, Policies

** As Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue to resume after decade-long break

By: Our Reporter

Ahead of the forthcoming Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism, Vice President Kashim Shettima has said due to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bold, courageous leadership and well-thought-out policies, Nigeria is now on a new growth trajectory, ready for investments across different sectors.

This is just as Brazil’s Vice President, Geraldo Alckmin, is set to lead a delegation of top executives in the country’s public and private sectors on a state visit to Nigeria for the second session of the Brazil-Nigeria Mechanism for Strategic Dialogue, after over a decade-long break.

Speaking on Tuesday during an update meeting with relevant ministers and heads of agencies at the Presidential Villa, Vice President Shettima noted that “in President Bola Tinubu, we have a leader who has shown that dexterity, that audacity to hope for a better tomorrow.”

Senator Shettima expressed satisfaction with the firm grasp of the real issues by ministers in the key sectors targeted for deliberations during the Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism slated for the later part of the year.

He called on all the key actors on the Nigerian side to make adequate preparations for the meeting, noting that there has to be some clarity, strategic coherence and a deep understanding of issues that will be tabled for discussion.

He said, “I want to urge all Ministers involved in this Nigeria-Brazil strategic dialogue to take charge of the initiative of the discussions so that we can take it to the next level, let’s walk the talk. Please, drive the process, engage with the different strategic focus groups to give you weekly updates to prepare us for the visit of the Brazilian Vice President and his delegation.

“The most important thing at this moment is for us to actualize the dreams of our nation’s development. We have the resources and institutional knowledge to make this work for our country.”

On the similarities between Nigeria and Brazil, the Vice President stressed the need to leverage the huge opportunities inherent in the partnership between both countries to actualize Nigeria’s vision across agriculture, culture and tourism, livestock production and military technology, among others.

Earlier in his speech, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, said the dialogue presents a renewed opportunity for Nigeria to revitalise the nation’s agricultural sector to attain the food sovereign goals of the administration.

“On behalf of the agriculture sector, it is time for us to walk the talk. It is a good day for Nigeria because agriculture will play a major role in the partnership. We have an opportunity to catch up with the rest of the world and be on our way to food sovereignty,” the Minister said.

Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa spoke on the cultural significance of the partnership, saying, “There is a huge population in Brazil of Nigerian descent who have a lot of interest in Nigeria.

“What we have done in the Ministry is to engage Brazil actively in working together. Already, we have an MoU, but we want to expand that beyond cultural diplomacy. Brazilians have a lot of interest in tapping into our creative industry,” she added.

The Minister hinted on plans to rebuild the Nigerian House in Brazil as well as host an annual Orisha Festival soon.

On defence cooperation, Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru, stated: “All is set for signing of a defence agreement with Brazil. We are also engaging with them on defence industry development to start production centres in Nigeria.”

Also, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Mohammed Ali Pate, highlighted healthcare opportunities that dialogue presents to Nigeria, noting that the platform is an important relationship for Nigeria.

He said, “Brazil is able to produce almost everything they need, including pharmaceuticals and vaccines. We are keen on turning things around and with the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we are unlocking the healthcare value chain. Manufacturing vaccines, diagnostics and pharmaceuticals is on the agenda, but it’s a very long journey and we are determined to walk through it.”

Also, Technical Assistant to the President on Agriculture (Office of the Vice President), Ms. Marion Moon, said, “Brazil’s agricultural expertise—from their successful cropland expansion to their global leadership in key commodities—offers invaluable insights for our development. The upcoming $1.1 billion Green Imperative Project exemplifies the depth of our relationship and its potential to revolutionize Nigerian agriculture through modernization and technology transfer.”

She explained that the Strategic Dialogue will be preceded by a Trade and Investment Forum coinciding with the anticipated visit of Brazil’s Vice President and Minister of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services, H.E. Geraldo Alckmin.

Others who spoke at the meeting included the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, and a representative of the Minister of State for the Environment, Balarabe Lawal, among many others.

VP Shettima Attributes Nigeria’s New Growth Trajectory To President Tinubu’s Bold Leadership, Policies

Marwa: NDLEA officers’ welfare ‘ll continue to be my priority

By: Michael Mike

Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) has said he will continue to make the welfare of his officers, men and women priority to ensure that they are physically and mentally fit to carry out their responsibility of curbing the scourge of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the country.

Marwa, who gave the assurance on Monday during a brief ceremony to commission a state-of-the-art fitness centre for the agency’s personnel at its headquarters in Abuja, said his decision to build the gym reinforces his commitment to the health, strength, and overall well-being of officers , men and women of NDLEA, which is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.

He highlighted the significance of the facility in ensuring that officers remain physically and mentally fit to tackle the enormous responsibilities of combating the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

According to him, “the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking is not just a battle of intelligence and strategy—it is also one that demands physical endurance, agility, and resilience. The nature of our work places extraordinary demands on our bodies and minds. From long hours of surveillance and enforcement operations to high-risk engagements, we must always be in top form to protect our society from the dangers of illicit drugs”

He said regular exercise must not be seen as a luxury but a necessity, adding that “a fit officer is a more effective one who can withstand stress, react swiftly in the field, and make sound decisions under pressure. Beyond operational readiness, fitness also promotes overall health, reducing the risk of lifestyle related diseases and enhancing mental sharpness.

“This fitness centre is more than just a gym; it is an investment in our most valuable asset—our people. This is why we hope to replicate similar facilities across zonal and state commands as funds become available. Therefore, I urge every personnel of the Agency within Abuja to take full advantage of this facility. Let it not be a mere structure but a place of daily transformation, where we strengthen not only our muscles but also our resolve to serve with excellence.”

He urged officers to see the commissioning of the facility as a reminder that their work requires them to be at their best physically, mentally, and professionally. “As we commission this centre today, let it serve as a constant reminder that our work requires the best version of ourselves physically, mentally, and professionally. Together, let us continue to build an NDLEA that is strong, resilient, and ever-ready to fulfill its mandate.”

Marwa: NDLEA officers’ welfare ‘ll continue to be my priority