Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Federal Government has firmly denied allegations circulating on social media that Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) backed the failed coup attempt in the Niger Republic, describing the claims as false, mischievous and a deliberate attempt to misinform the public and tarnish the country's image.
In a statement issued on Thursday, September 3, 2026, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, said Nigeria had never supported and would never support any military coup or unconstitutional change of government anywhere. The Minister stressed that Nigeria is a defender of constitutional order and a strong supporter of democracy, peace and stability across West Africa, the Sahel and the African continent.
"Nigeria will never support illegality or unconstitutional change of government anywhere, no matter who is involved or which country is concerned," Enikanolaiye declared. He described Nigeria as a peace-loving nation and a pillar of democracy, adding that any suggestion of Nigerian endorsement of the coup was "unfair, mischievous and entirely false".
The minister recalled that Nigeria's position on the situation in Niger had already been made clear in an earlier official statement issued on August 30, 2026, in which the Federal Government expressed deep concern over developments in the country and called for a peaceful, inclusive and participatory return to stability and constitutional order. He noted that Nigeria, as a close neighbour bound by strong historical, fraternal and cultural ties, desires only peace, security, democracy and development for Niger, the sub-region and the Sahel.
While reaffirming Nigeria's commitment to ECOWAS, Enikanolaiye rejected any suggestion that the country's membership of the regional bloc implied endorsement of the military takeover. "While Nigeria is a proud and committed member of ECOWAS, it is unfair, mischievous and entirely false to suggest that Nigeria endorses or condones the military coup," he said. The minister urged Nigerians at home and abroad to disregard videos and narratives being circulated online by individuals seeking to sow discord and spread misinformation.
He 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. Nigeria, he said, 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.
The denial comes days after a failed coup attempt in Niger Republic on August 29, 2026, which saw mutinous soldiers clash with security forces around the presidential palace and strategic air base in Niamey. The coup attempt was repelled by Nigerien forces with the assistance of servicemen of Russia's Africa Corps, according to Russian authorities. The incident marked the third security disturbance at the strategic air base this year and dealt a blow to the military junta that has ruled Niger since the July 2023 coup.
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