The Federal Government has denied claims that Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) backed the recent failed coup attempt in Niger Republic.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, dismissed the allegations as baseless and irresponsible, saying they were part of an attempt to misinform the public and damage Nigeria’s reputation.
In a statement issued on Thursday, September 3, 2026, Enikanolaiye said Nigeria had never supported and would never support military coups or any form of unconstitutional change of government.
He described Nigeria as a peace-loving nation committed to constitutional order, democracy and stability across West Africa, the Sahel and the African continent.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria categorically rejects these claims as baseless, irresponsible, and a deliberate attempt to misinform the public and tarnish Nigeria’s image,” the minister said.
Enikanolaiye said Nigeria’s position on the situation in Niger had already been made clear in a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 30.
According to him, the 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.
The minister stressed that Nigeria’s close historical, cultural and fraternal ties with Niger made peace, security, democracy and development in the country and the wider Sahel a major concern for the Nigerian government.
He said Nigeria’s longstanding foreign policy does not support the use of force to resolve political differences.
“Nigeria will never support illegality or unconstitutional change of government anywhere, no matter who is involved or which country is concerned,” Enikanolaiye said.
While reaffirming Nigeria’s membership and commitment to ECOWAS, he described suggestions that the regional bloc or Nigeria endorsed the military takeover as “unfair, mischievous and entirely false.”
The minister also urged Nigerians at home and abroad to disregard videos and narratives circulating on social media which he said were intended to sow discord and mislead the public.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance and the African Union’s zero-tolerance policy towards unconstitutional changes of government.
Enikanolaiye said Nigeria would continue working 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.
