Nigeria, Niger, and Benin are meeting on November 14 in Abuja to discuss an exit solution regarding the border closure case. This was announced by the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) in the final communiqué of its last Summit held on November 8.

According to the statement, the Heads of State encouraged further consultations with a view to reaching a solution acceptable to all parties. In addition, future meetings with the Ministers of Trade and Finance of Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Niger, Nigeria, and Togo will be held to consolidate trade between the countries of the sub-region.

Let’s note that Nigeria closed its land borders in August 2019. The country said the decision is to fight the smuggling of rice and invited its neighbors to take strong measures to put an end to this practice.

SG