By Fatima Saka
The Federal Government has rejected claims that Nigeria or the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) supported the recent failed coup attempt in Niger Republic, describing the narratives circulating on social media as false and mischievous.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye, in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, said Nigeria had never supported and would not support any military coup or unconstitutional change of government in any country.
Enikanolaiye said the Federal Government remained committed to constitutional order, democracy, peace and stability across West Africa, the Sahel and the African continent.
He recalled Nigeria’s August 30, 2026 statement on the situation in Niger, in which the government expressed concern over developments in the neighbouring country and called for a peaceful, inclusive and participatory return to stability and constitutional order.
According to him, Nigeria’s position is that the use of force to resolve political differences is contrary to the country’s long-standing foreign policy.
The minister stressed that Nigeria’s close historical, cultural and fraternal ties with Niger made peace, security, democracy and development in the country and the wider Sahel a major priority.
He said it was therefore “unfair, mischievous and entirely false” to suggest that Nigeria, despite being a committed member of ECOWAS, endorsed or condoned the military coup.
Enikanolaiye urged Nigerians at home and abroad to disregard videos and narratives circulating online which, he said, were intended to sow discord and damage Nigeria’s image.
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He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance and the African Union’s zero-tolerance policy toward unconstitutional changes of government.
He added that Nigeria would continue to work with ECOWAS, the African Union and the international community to defend democracy, uphold the rule of law, and promote peace and stability in the region.
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