The Federal Government has dismissed reports alleging that Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) supported or endorsed the recent failed coup attempt in Niger Republic.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, described the claims circulating on social media as false, mischievous and deliberately designed to mislead the public and damage Nigeria’s reputation.
Enikanolaiye, in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, stressed that Nigeria remained firmly opposed to military coups and all forms of unconstitutional changes of government.
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According to him, Nigeria is a peace-loving country committed to constitutional order, democracy and stability in West Africa, the Sahel and across Africa.
He said Nigeria’s position on the situation in Niger had already been made clear in an earlier statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 30, 2026.
The minister said the Federal Government had expressed deep concern over developments in Niger and called for a peaceful, inclusive and participatory process leading to stability and the restoration of constitutional order.
“Any resort to force to settle political differences is contrary to this objective and to Nigeria’s long-standing foreign policy,” he said.
Enikanolaiye stressed that Nigeria’s close historical, cultural and fraternal ties with Niger made peace, security, democracy and development in the neighbouring country a priority for Abuja.
He also rejected suggestions that Nigeria’s membership of ECOWAS meant it endorsed the military takeover or any attempt to change the government through unconstitutional means.
The minister urged Nigerians at home and abroad to disregard videos and narratives circulating online which, he said, were intended to sow discord and misrepresent the country’s foreign policy position.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, as well as the African Union’s zero-tolerance policy towards unconstitutional changes of government.
Enikanolaiye said Nigeria would continue to work with ECOWAS, the African Union and the international community to defend democratic governance, uphold the rule of law, and promote peace and stability across West Africa and the wider region.