Amid Fuel Crisis, Niger Turns to Nigeria for Help — Analyst Zagazola Makama
For nearly two weeks, Niger Republic has faced a crippling fuel shortage, paralyzing transportation and economic activity.
Desperate motorists queued for hours, while businesses struggled to secure petrol. The crisis grew so severe that Niger’s military junta, despite months of anti-Nigeria rhetoric, was forced to seek help from Abuja.
The crisis stems from a failed standoff between Niger’s junta and Chinese oil companies. In March 2024, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) advanced $400 million to Niger, using future crude deliveries as collateral.
When the junta failed to repay, it retaliated with an $80 billion tax demand on SORAZ (Zinder Refinery Company) and froze its accounts. In response, China pulled its oil executives, leading to the shutdown of SORAZ, Niger’s main fuel source, and triggering a nationwide shortage.
Initially, the junta refused to acknowledge the crisis, silencing state media. But as fuel prices soared and unrest grew, they quietly sent officials to Nigeria to plead for emergency supplies. The irony was not lost—this was the same regime that severed ties with France, defied ECOWAS sanctions, and aligned with Russia. Yet, when faced with economic collapse, they turned to Nigeria.
Despite months of diplomatic tension, Nigeria approved the delivery of 300 fuel trucks to ease the crisis. However, Niger’s government has avoided acknowledging Nigeria’s assistance, instead attributing the fuel availability to internal measures—a claim many citizens question.
While Nigeria’s intervention has helped stabilize the situation, the bigger question remains: Will this act of goodwill mend strained relations, or will Niger’s junta resume its defiance once the crisis passes? One thing is certain—when disaster struck, it wasn’t Russia or China that came to Niger’s aid. It was Nigeria.
