In a statement issued on Monday, Francisca Omayuli, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, conveyed Nigeria’s openness for dialogue with the three nations.

The statement highlighted Nigeria’s longstanding commitment to ECOWAS, emphasizing the region’s shared objectives of peace, prosperity, and democracy over the past fifty years.

The statement affirmed Nigeria’s unwavering support for ECOWAS, underlining the country’s sincere efforts to engage with all member states to address challenges collectively.

However, it expressed disappointment in the apparent lack of reciprocal goodwill from those seeking to exit the community.

Despite these challenges, Nigeria reiterated its willingness to engage with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to ensure that the region’s citizens can continue to benefit from the economic advantages and democratic values upheld by ECOWAS.

“For half a century, ECOWAS has worked to promote peace, prosperity and democracy in the region. Nigeria stands with ECOWAS to emphasise due process and shared commitment to protect and strengthen the rights and welfare of all citizens of Member States,” the statement partly read.

“Nigeria has worked sincerely and in good faith to reach out to all members of the ECOWAS family to resolve the difficulties being faced. It is now clear that those seeking to quit the Community do not share that same good faith.

“Instead, unelected leaders engage in a public posturing to deny their people the sovereign right to make fundamental choices over their freedom of movement, freedom to trade and freedom to choose their own leaders.

“Nigeria remains open for engagement with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger so that all the people of the region can continue to enjoy the economic benefits and democratic values that ECOWAS embraces.”

Recall that on Sunday, the military regimes in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger declared their immediate withdrawal from ECOWAS, citing it as a threat to member states.

Struggling with jihadist violence and poverty, the regimes have had tense ties with ECOWAS since coups took place in Niger last July, Burkina Faso in 2022 and Mali in 2020.

All three — founding members of the bloc in 1975 — were suspended from ECOWAS with Niger and Mali facing heavy sanctions as the bloc tried to push for the early return of civilian governments with elections.

The sanctions were an “irrational and unacceptable posture” at a time when the three “have decided to take their destiny in hand” — a reference to the coups that removed civilian administrations

The three nations have hardened their positions in recent months and joined forces in an “Alliance of Sahel States”.

The joint statement from the leaders accused ECOWAS of betraying its founding principles, asserting that it had become a threat under foreign influence.