The Nigerian Presidency has stated that the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has weakened key mechanisms for regional integration and posed a major challenge to cooperation within West Africa. The statement was made by Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, on Thursday at a policy colloquium organised by the Ministry of Defence in Abuja.
Withdrawal Disrupts Regional Mechanisms
The three Sahelian countries formally left ECOWAS in January 2025, following their announcement in 2024 of plans to withdraw from the regional bloc. Since then, they have strengthened their cooperation through the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). Dare explained that the withdrawal disrupted regional mechanisms, particularly ECOWAS protocols aimed at promoting economic integration and facilitating the movement of goods and services across member states.
“The rupture that came in 2025, when the countries pulled out of ECOWAS, created a major regional crisis,” Dare said. He added that the development also resulted in the emergence of the AES as a rival regional framework.
Border Management and Regional Security
Dare emphasised the importance of effective border management to both economic integration and regional security, describing national borders as a critical frontline for maintaining stability. According to him, 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.
He also rejected claims that Nigeria’s borders were closed, saying the country’s borders remained open but subject to necessary controls by relevant government agencies. “Nigeria’s borders are open,” he said, warning politicians against turning border security into an issue for electoral campaigns or using it to score political points.
Open Borders vs. Unrestricted Movement
Dare explained that the concept of open borders should not be interpreted as unrestricted 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 there is a distinction,” he said.
The colloquium, organised by the Ministry of Defence, provided a platform for policy discussions on regional security and integration. The Presidency’s remarks come amid ongoing concerns about the impact of the Sahelian exit on West Africa’s economic and security architecture.
