The concept, ‘Africa as the centrepiece of Nigeria’s foreign policy’ originated in the First Republic as the Tafawa Balewa government gave Africa a pride of place in the newly independent Nigeria’s foreign policy formulation.  
In line with the policy, Nigeria had overwhelmingly given both solicited and unsolicited support to African countries, intervened positively in their internal crises, provided humanitarian services, doled out billions of naira as charity, and sent out Nigerian professionals as technical corps. Nigeria also provided invaluable military support.
Checks by The ICIR show that, since 2015, Niger Republic, a neighbouring West African country, has received more attention from the Nigerian government and enjoyed a more special, closer relationship with Nigeria than other African countries.
The ICIR highlights developments and events which underscore the special relationship between Nigeria and Niger Republic under the Buhari administration.
Currently, the Nigerian government is constructing a $2 billion railway that will run from Kano State to Maradi in Niger Republic. Maradi, the second-largest city in Niger Republic, is regarded as the centre of the country’s developing oil industry. Buhari performed the ground-breaking ceremony of the new rail line on February 9, 2021.
A Portuguese construction company, Mota-Engil, was awarded the contract to build the 284 kilometres standard-gauge line with 12 stations from Kano in northern Nigeria to Maradi in landlocked Niger Republic.
Speaking at the virtual ground-breaking ceremony, Buhari said the new rail line would generate more revenue for Nigeria while also enabling the people of Niger Republic to enjoy affordable transportation.
About a month after the commencement of the construction of the railway, a member of Buhari’s cabinet, Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, revealed that he travelled to Niger Republic to beg the government of the West African country to allow Nigeria to build a railway for them.
“To even get to Maradi, I had to travel to Niger Republic even to beg them. They are not bringing their money. It is our money. But I am begging them to allow me access into Maradi,” Amaechi said.
The minister noted that the railroad would enable Niger Republic to import and export goods through Nigeria. According to him, Niger Republic preferred making imports and exports through Benin Republic, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Togo.
Eyebrows were raised when, in November 2020, the Nigerian government, through the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the government of Niger Republic for the importation of petroleum products from that country.

Having Niger Republic as your next door neighbour is the worst experience ever.

Trust me.

That's miles and miles of unpoliced space for all sorts of vermins and reprobates to roam about aimlessly.

To make matters worse, that country has very little by way of economic value. Only 15% of its land is actually arable(all in the South).

In a nutshell, it is one big, barren desert Republic.


Stuff them!