The Nigerian Government has rejected claims circulating on social media suggesting that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) backed the recent failed coup attempt in Niger Republic, stressing that Nigeria has never supported and will never support any military coup or unconstitutional change of government.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, described the claims as “baseless, irresponsible, and a deliberate attempt to misinform the public and tarnish Nigeria’s image”.
In a statement, Enikanolaiye said Nigeria remained a peace-loving nation and a strong defender of constitutional order, democracy and stability in West Africa, the Sahel and across Africa.
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He stressed that Nigeria would “never support illegality or unconstitutional change of government anywhere”, regardless of the country or actors involved.
The Minister recalled Nigeria’s official position on the situation in Niger, as contained in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press Statement No. MFA/PR/2026/220 of August 30, 2026.
According to him, the Nigerian Government had expressed deep concern over developments in Niger and called for a peaceful, inclusive and participatory return to stability and constitutional order in the neighbouring country.
Enikanolaiye said Nigeria viewed “with deep concern any unconstitutional change of government”, stressing that the country’s position was consistent with its long-standing foreign policy.
He noted that Nigeria’s historical, cultural and fraternal ties with Niger informed its desire for peace, security, democracy and development in the country, the sub-region and the Sahel.
“As was stated in the Press Statement under reference, any resort to force to settle political differences is contrary to this objective and to Nigeria’s long-standing foreign policy,” he said.
While reaffirming Nigeria’s membership of and commitment to ECOWAS, the Minister described suggestions that the country endorsed or condoned the military coup in Niger as “unfair, mischievous and entirely false”.
He urged Nigerians at home and abroad to disregard videos and narratives circulating online, which he said were being promoted by individuals seeking to sow discord.
Enikanolaiye reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, as well as the African Union’s zero-tolerance policy towards unconstitutional changes of government.
He said 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 across the region.
