Foreign

ECOWAS Must Enforce Zero Tolerance For Coups, Says Sierra Leone’s Foreign Minister

Published

3 months ago

December 11, 2025

The Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman, ECOWAS Council of Ministers, Mr Timothy Kabba, has called for zero-threat tolerance against unconstitutional change of government among the member states.

Kabba made this known during the opening ceremony of the 95th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers that started from Wednesday, December 10, to Friday, December 12 in Abuja.

This, according to him, is against the backdrop of the recent military incursions, humanitarian crises, and emergency declarations in several member states.

Kabba said, “We must remain united, vigilant, and decisive in upholding a zero-threat stance of ECOWAS against unconstitutional changes of government.

“Our commitment must translate into timely reactions, measured responses, and strengthening preventive mechanisms.

“We will continue to be committed to constructive engagement with Member States that are presently in transition.

“Our objective is not to isolate the state, but to foster a credible, inclusive, and time-bound return to democratic governance.

“We will speak with a unified voice, guided by our protocol on democracy and good governance, to ensure the swift restoration of constitutional order and the preservation of our regional principles without compromise.”

He urged the participants to approach the 95th Ordinary Session with renewed dedication, optimism, and a spirit of cooperation and determination to achieve the desired goals.

He decried the security and governance challenges confronting the sub-region, saying that there should be a collective determination to safeguard peace, protect democratic institutions, and ensure that the aspirations of citizens for stability and development are not derailed.

He revealed that the council plans to, over the course of the meeting, examine memoranda and comprehensive reports, to gain an in-depth understanding of the community’s current state and identify areas for enhancement.

In his goodwill message, the President of ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, urged the ministers to examine the various memoranda that required their collective decision and full consideration.

He said that such included an annual work programme, budget of the community institutions, financial situation of the community, status of implementation of the community levy protocol, report of the Monitoring General of ECOWAS Institution, and the Audit Committee.

Touray said, “We will be presenting for information, memoranda on the status of implementation of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS), including the work of the Task Force on the scheme, and memoranda on the ECOWAS Single Currency.

“The council will also be briefed on the financial situation of the West African Power Group, our flagship regional electricity market platform currently facing challenges, on account of debt owed by national electricity companies.”

He disclosed that ECOWAS had appointed Alhaji Aliko Dangote, its Pioneer Chairperson of the ECOWAS Business Council, in view of his vast experience in business within our sub-region and across Africa, to promote intra-regional trade and investment.

In her welcome remarks, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, urged the ministers to come up with decisions that will help shape the recommendations to be submitted to the Authority of Heads of State and Government.

“We must remain steadfast in defending constitutional order, promoting inclusive political dialogue, and supporting credible transitions that reinforce stability.

“Our region’s future depends on deepening intra-regional trade, strengthening value chains, facilitating investments, and creating opportunities for the over 400 million people, especially young people of 25 years and below, who constitute about 65 per cent of the population.

“They no doubt rely on ECOWAS to chart a path toward progress; your deliberations over the course of this 95th Ordinary Session are, therefore, of utmost importance,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said.

(NAN)

Foreign

PICTORIAL: Tinubu, First Lady Meet Royals On ‘Historic’ UK State Visit

Published

6 days ago

March 18, 2026

Uthman Abdulganiyu

King Charles III ceremonially welcomed Nigerian President Bola Tinubu at Windsor Castle on Wednesday in the first state visit by the leader of Africa’s most populous nation in nearly four decades.

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu arrives for a formal welcome at Datchet Road, ahead of a carriage procession to Windsor Castle, in Windsor, on March 18, 2026, on the first day of a two-day State Visit to the United Kingdom by Nigeria’s President. (Photo by Isabel Infantes / POOL / AFP)

Tinubu has made less formal visits to Britain several times in his tenure, and the two countries remain major partners in trade, aid and defence. London is also home to a massive Nigerian diaspora.

King Charles and Queen Camilla greeted the president and his wife in Windsor, west of London, on a sunny afternoon as artillery fired Salutes

Britain’s Queen Camilla walks with Nigeria’s First Lady Oluremi Tinubu as they leave following a ceremonial welcome in the Quadrangle at Windsor Castle, in Windsor, on March 18, 2026, on the first day of a two-day State Visit to the United Kingdom by Nigeria’s President. (Photo by Aaron Chown / POOL / AFP)

The Nigerian president and his wife earlier chatted with heir-to-the-throne Prince William and his wife Catherine at a hotel in Windsor.

The party then rode in carriages to the historic Windsor Castle, followed by cavalry in red and gold livery.

Later in the afternoon, the king and queen were to show the president and first lady items from the Royal Collection reflecting the ties with Britain as the colonial power in charge of Nigeria until 1960.

These include a Yoruba beaded throne presented to Queen Elizabeth II during an official visit in 1965.

They were also to view photographs of a Yoruba woman known as Sarah Forbes Bonetta, who became a protegee of Queen Victoria after being captured as a slave and taken to Britain by a naval captain.

In the evening, Charles and Tinubu were set to give speeches at a lavish state banquet.

‘Renewed chapter’

Nigeria’s presidency said the visit signalled a “renewed chapter” and reflected a shared commitment to “advancing trade and strengthening diplomatic ties”.

Foreign

Mining dispute: FG Alleges Plot To Embarrass Tinubu During UK Visit

Published

1 week ago

March 15, 2026

Uthman Abdulganiyu

The Federal Government has alleged that an embattled mining company, Jupiter Ltd, is planning what it described as a “campaign of calumny” against Nigeria during the planned state visit of President Bola Tinubu to the United Kingdom.

The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development said the alleged move was aimed at discrediting ongoing reforms in the mining sector and misleading the international community about the circumstances surrounding the revocation of certain mineral licences.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Segun Tomori, the ministry dismissed claims that Nigeria seized a British lithium project under armed guard, describing the allegation as false and misleading.

Tomori said the Federal Government had no legal or contractual relationship with any company known as Jupiter Lithium, stressing that Nigerian mining laws prohibit foreign companies from directly holding mineral titles.

The statement read, “It has come to the attention of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development that an embattled mining firm, Jupiter Ltd, plans to orchestrate a campaign of calumny against the Federal Government of Nigeria during the state visit of President Bola Tinubu to the United Kingdom.

“Earlier in the week, the Special Adviser to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Kehinde Bamigbetan, authored a response to what we described as a tissue of falsehoods sponsored by Jupiter Ltd in a publication titled ‘Nigeria Seizes British Lithium Project Under Armed Guard.’

“Our response, titled ‘In Nigeria’s Mining Sector, The Law Is No Respecter of Persons,’ exposed the activities of one Steve Davis and Hamish MacDonald, whose enterprise in the mining sector eventually met the full weight of the law.”

According to the ministry, the controversy stemmed from the revocation of mineral titles belonging to Basin Mining Ltd, a Nigerian company linked to an Australian national, Steve Davis.

The government said the revocation followed the company’s failure to meet statutory financial obligations under Nigeria’s mining regulations.

Tomori stated that Basin Mining Ltd lost its mineral titles after failing to pay statutory annual service fees amounting to N2.494bn for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years.

The unpaid fees covered mineral titles 45454ML, 45117ML, 45118ML, 40532ML and 40533ML, which were revoked after due notice was served on the company in line with existing regulations.

The ministry also dismissed claims that the titles were reassigned to a Chinese firm, describing the allegation as a fabrication intended to mislead the public and the international community.

It further alleged that Davis had interests in several mining companies operating in Nigeria, including Comet Minerals Ltd, Basin Mining Ltd, Range Mining Ltd, Northern Numero Ltd, Sunrise Minerals Ltd and Iron Ore Mining Ltd.

According to the government, such arrangements are often used by speculators to acquire mineral titles without undertaking actual mining operations.

The ministry said the practice had contributed to the problem of dormant mining licences and illegal mining activities in the country.

It noted that the Federal Government was determined to end such practices as part of ongoing reforms aimed at repositioning the mining sector as a key driver of economic growth.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria cannot and will not be intimidated or blackmailed into abandoning reforms by the antics of any individual or company,” Tomori added.

“Our commitment to transforming the mining sector into a major contributor to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product is unwavering.”

The ministry urged Nigerians and international stakeholders to disregard what it described as attempts by “discredited individuals” to undermine the country’s reform agenda.

Nigeria has intensified efforts in recent years to develop its solid mineral resources, including lithium, gold, iron ore and rare earth elements, as part of a broader strategy to diversify the economy away from crude oil.

PUNCH Online reports that Tinubu is scheduled to embark on a state visit to the United Kingdom from March 18 to 19, 2026, following an invitation from King Charles III, who will host the Nigerian leader at Windsor Castle.

The visit is expected to focus on strengthening diplomatic and economic ties between both countries, including cooperation in trade, investment, security and migration.

Foreign

Tension as Nigerians Hit in Iran Missile Strikes, Details Emerge

Published

1 week ago

March 15, 2026

Uthman Abdulganiyu

Iran’s missile attack has injured over 140 residents, including Nigerians, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The UAE’s air defence intercepted nine missiles and 33 drones amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. Six fatalities were reported, with casualties among foreign nationals, including Nigerians, Pakistanis, and Bangladeshis.

Dubai, UAE – Amid the US/Israel-Iran war, Nigerians were among more than 140 residents injured after Tehran launched multiple ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles at the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

As reported on Sunday morning, March 15, by The Punch, the development raised fresh fears for thousands of Nigerians living and working in the Gulf nation.

The UAE Ministry of Defence disclosed on Saturday, March 14, that its air defence systems intercepted several missiles and drones fired from Iran, describing the attack as a major escalation in the ongoing regional tensions.

In a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, the ministry said its air defence units engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 drones during the latest assault, adding that the attacks left six people dead and 141 others injured, including foreign nationals.

The ministry stated:

“The UAE air defence systems on March 14 engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 UAVs launched from Iran.”

“Since the onset of this blatant Iranian aggression, UAE air defences have engaged 294 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,600 UAVs launched from Iran.”

UAE’s authorities’ post can be viewed below via X:

الدفاعات الجوية الإماراتية تتعامل مع 9 صواريخ باليستية و 33 طائرة مسيرة.

تعاملت الدفاعات الجوية الإماراتية (14 مارس 2026) مع 9 صواريخ باليستية، و 33 طائرة مسيرة قادمة من إيران.

ومنذ بدء الاعتداءات الإيرانية السافرة تعاملت الدفاعات الجوية الإماراتية مع 294 صاروخاً باليستياً، و… pic.twitter.com/UOVjVpjh7b

— وزارة الدفاع |MOD UAE (@modgovae) March 14, 2026

According to the ministry, those killed in the attacks included citizens of the UAE as well as foreign nationals from Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh. Although the authorities did not specify the exact locations where the casualties occurred, the ministry said the injured victims were from several countries, including Nigeria.

Meanwhile, when contacted about the situation, Nigerian resident Yinka Sodiq in the UAE expressed hope for safety, saying he is closely monitoring regional tensions amid reports of increased military activity in the Gulf. He also expressed full confidence in the country’s security measures to safeguard both residents and visitors.

He told Legit.ng:

“Alhamdulillah (praise be to God), for now, I am safe. We are also keeping our heads. May Allah continue to protect us all.”

Another resident, Remi Susan, addressed occasional sounds heard in the skies, clarifying that they pose no threat but are part of a defensive system designed to protect the population and secure the UAE’s airspace, a reflection, she said, of the country’s advanced defence capabilities and preparedness.

Susan said:

“Yes, there has been a lot of noise in the sky, even from my house. I saw like some missile or drone or whatever. But they have been intercepted. I trust the government.”

Dailyvoice.ng reports that escalating hostilities in the Middle East have sent shockwaves through Nigeria, grounding pilgrimages, disrupting travel plans, rattling the oil market and prompting anxious calls from Nigerians abroad. Besides, some members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), the Iran-inspired Shiite organisation founded in the late 1970s by Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, have been staging protests in solidarity with the Iranians in some parts of the country, such as Kano, Kaduna and Lagos.

The Iranians, under attack from the United States (US) and Israel because of a long-running disagreement over Iran’s nuclear enrichment programme, have been firing retaliatory missiles at Israel and other countries considered US allies in the Gulf region, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, among others.

So far, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, his family members and more than 700 citizens have died.