Despite months of diplomatic tensions, Niger Republic has turned to Nigeria for assistance in addressing its worsening fuel crisis.
Reliable sources informed Sunday PUNCH that a delegation of senior officials from Niger’s ruling military junta traveled to Abuja to engage with the Federal Government. Following deliberations, Nigeria reportedly approved the supply of 300 tanker trucks of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to the country.
A senior Nigerian government official, familiar with the discussions, disclosed that the fuel deal is being used as a “strategic bargaining tool” in ongoing negotiations with Niger.
The Nigerien delegation reportedly explained that the country had been reliant on fuel from a Chinese-operated refinery. However, due to unresolved issues with the supplier, the refinery was forced to shut down, leaving Niger with limited alternatives.
Sources confirmed that Niger turned to Nigeria when the fuel crisis reached a critical point. However, the specifics of the arrangement remain confidential.
“We do not want to blow our trumpet. Rather, we want to use this as a bargaining chip in negotiations, particularly in our efforts to reintegrate them into ECOWAS,” a Nigerian government insider revealed.
“Let them continue to rely on us. In time, they will realize they need ECOWAS, as they lack sufficient resources to import food and sustain their citizens,” the source added.
Officials from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) suggested that the deal was likely facilitated by the Presidency, as NNPCL now operates as a limited liability company. Meanwhile, sources at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and the Presidency declined to comment, citing diplomatic sensitivities.
The fuel crisis in Niger escalated last week, with reports indicating that petrol prices had skyrocketed to unprecedented levels.
A Nigerian transborder businessman, Mallam Abubakar Usman, said, “There is a serious fuel scarcity in Niger. The price depends on the location. In Konni, a border town, a litre sells for 1,200 CFA (about N2,500). In Agadez, the price rises to 3,000 CFA (N7,500), while in Arlit, near Algeria, a litre costs 3,500 CFA (N8,750).”
Usman attributed the crisis to the deteriorating relationship between the two nations.
A Nigerian Immigration Service official, speaking anonymously, confirmed sighting petrol trucks crossing into Niger.
China-Niger Oil Dispute Worsens Crisis
Niger’s fuel crisis has been further exacerbated by a dispute between the ruling junta and Chinese oil companies that previously dominated the country’s petroleum sector.
Security analyst Zagazola Makama, in an article on X, revealed that tensions began in March 2024 when the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) provided Niger with a $400 million advance, using future crude oil deliveries as collateral. The funds were meant to help Niger navigate the economic sanctions imposed by ECOWAS after the July 2023 coup.
However, when repayment became due, the junta reportedly lacked the funds. Instead of renegotiating, they imposed an $80 billion tax demand on Soraz, a Chinese-run refinery, despite Niger’s state-owned Sonidep already owing the refinery $250 billion.
When China refused to grant further financial assistance, Niger retaliated by expelling Chinese oil executives and freezing Soraz’s bank accounts. This decision backfired, leading to a collapse in the country’s petroleum sector, which relied heavily on Chinese expertise and investment.
With Soraz refinery shutting down, fuel shortages spread rapidly.
However, the Commercial Director of Sonidep, Maazou Aboubacar, told AFP that Soraz could no longer meet domestic demand. He attributed this to the drying up of the illegal fuel trade from Nigeria, which had previously supplemented Niger’s supply.
Nigeria Extends a Helping Hand Despite Tensions
Despite strained relations, Nigeria stepped in to provide fuel relief to Niger. This move comes even after Niger’s Head of State, Brig. Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, accused Nigeria of conspiring with France to destabilize his country.
In December 2024, Tchiani alleged that Nigeria was complicit in plans to establish a terrorist training camp in Gaba Forest, near Sokoto, under an alleged agreement between France and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). The Nigerian government strongly denied these allegations.
Further straining relations, Niger reportedly barred Nigerians carrying ECOWAS passports from entering its cities in February 2025.
Nonetheless, Nigeria proceeded with fuel shipments to Niger. Makama, the counter-insurgency expert, shared videos showing trucks delivering petrol across the border, noting that Niger’s state media deliberately avoided reporting the source of the fuel.
“While Nigeria’s fuel supply has begun easing the crisis, the Nigerien government has chosen to portray the availability as a result of its internal measures. Many Nigeriens are now questioning these claims,” he wrote.
13.5 Million Litres of Petrol Supplied
Oil marketers estimated that the 300 tanker trucks approved for Niger would amount to approximately 13.5 million litres of petrol.
The National Vice President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Hammed Fashola, affirmed that Nigeria had sufficient capacity to assist Niger.
“With the refineries we have, I believe we can meet Niger’s needs,” he said.
Similarly, the National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria, Billy Gillis-Harry, confirmed that Nigeria had enough PMS to aid its neighbor without experiencing domestic shortages.
“If we have a diplomatic reason for this, it is doable,” he added.
