From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
On Thursday, the Presidency expressed satisfaction with the bilateral relationships that already exist between Nigeria and its neighbors, affirming that these ties have been very beneficial, particularly in the fight against smuggling, illegal arms imports, and border insecurity.
Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity to the President, Garba Shehu disclosed this in Niamey, Niger shortly after President Muhammadu Buhari commissioned a major road named after him in the state capital.
President Buhari is in Niamey to join other leaders in the continent for the African Union (AU) summit on Industrialization and Economic Diversification.
According to him, the President initiated frank discussions with the neighboring nations of Niger, Benin, Chad, and Cameroon upon taking office in 2015. This strategy led to the development of strong diplomatic connections that are in both countries’ best interests.
“President Buhari has strong respect for our neigbours, and he understands the essence of neigbourliness. Before this administration, some of these countries complained that they were not even being talked to by Nigerian leadership,” he explained.
Shehu added that, “we have opened up dialogue with them and it is paying off. We are partnering with them on essential matters, especially on security, tackling smuggling, and importation of illegal weapons, so the partnership is complete.”
He asserted that President Buhari would leave behind on May 29, 2023, a good relationship with Nigeria’s neighbours that will be continued by his successor.
In defence of the renaming of a road in Niger in President Buhari’s honour, Shehu said that the action was proof of the high regard that Nigeria’s neighbours have for him.
President of Niger Republic Mohammed Bazoun who was accompanied by the mayor of Niamey and other officials, took President Buhari on a tour of the 3.8 kilometer boulevard commissioned in line with the country’s constitutional provisions.