Niger Republic has sought assistance from Nigeria amid a severe fuel shortage crisis.
Despite recent diplomatic tensions, officials from Niger approached Nigeria for help, sending a delegation of senior military leaders to Abuja for discussions with the Federal Government.
Following these deliberations, 300 trucks of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) were approved for delivery to Niger.
According to a high-ranking government official, Nigeria hopes to leverage this aid as a “strategic bargaining tool” in ongoing negotiations with the Nigerien junta.
The delegation revealed that Niger has heavily relied on a Chinese refinery for fuel. However, disruptions with the supplier led to the refinery’s shutdown, leaving the nation in a precarious position.
Niger’s urgent need for fuel prompted the outreach to Nigeria, although many details regarding the arrangements remain undisclosed.
“We do not want to highlight our generosity but aim to use this as leverage in diplomatic talks to encourage Niger’s return to ECOWAS,” the source noted. “Given their lack of resources for food imports, I believe they will gradually re-engage with ECOWAS,” the source added.
Officials from Nigeria’s National Petroleum Corporation mentioned that the deal might have been finalized by the Presidency, as the corporation now functions as a limited liability entity.
Niger Fuel Crisis
Reports indicate that the fuel crisis in Niger escalated significantly last week, with some areas experiencing petrol prices soaring to N8,000 per litre.
Investigations in Sokoto State revealed that fuel prices fluctuate based on proximity to the Nigerian border.
A transborder businessman highlighted the fuel scarcity, noting that prices vary widely in different regions, with the highest observed in Agadez at N7,500 per litre.
An anonymous official from the Nigerian Immigration Service confirmed sightings of trucks transporting petrol across the border.
Niger-China Oil Firm Clash
The ongoing fuel crisis in Niger may stem from a conflict between the ruling junta and Chinese oil companies, which have historically played a dominant role in the nation’s petroleum sector.
Issues arose when the China National Petroleum Corporation provided Niger with a $400 million advance to assist with economic sanctions imposed by ECOWAS after the July 2023 coup.
As the junta struggled to repay, tensions escalated when it imposed a hefty tax demand on the Soraz refinery, leading to confrontations with China.
The fallout from these decisions has significantly impacted Niger’s petroleum sector, leading to widespread fuel shortages.
The Commercial Director of the Nigerien Company for Oil Products stated that the Soraz refinery could no longer meet domestic fuel demands.
Nigeria the Good Neighbor
Recently, Niger’s leadership accused Nigeria of colluding with foreign entities to destabilize the country, a claim denied by the Federal Government.
Despite these tensions, fuel shipments from Nigeria have begun, aiding in alleviating the crisis, although Nigerien media has been cautious in reporting the source of the fuel.
Nigeria Supplies 13.5 Million Liters of Petrol
According to industry sources, the deal to export 300 tanker trucks of petrol to Niger would equate to approximately 13.5 million liters of fuel.
Marketers believe Nigeria has ample resources to assist its neighbor, supported by multiple refineries now operating locally.
The National Vice President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association expressed confidence in Nigeria’s capability to support Niger during this fuel crisis.
Industry leaders agree that Nigeria possesses sufficient fuel reserves to assist without jeopardizing its own supply. “If there is a diplomatic reason for this, it is certainly achievable,” stated a prominent association leader.
