I Was In Daura, Less Than 20 Kilometers From Niger, They Discovered Oil And Avoided Nigeria-Makinde

Seyi Makinde, the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), has questioned why Niger Republic reportedly avoided Nigeria when seeking an avenue to transport its crude oil to the international market, despite sharing a border with the country.

Makinde raised the concern during the APM North-East Townhall Meeting aired by Arise News on Saturday, October 10, 2026, while speaking about Nigeria’s relationship with its neighbours and the development of the oil sector in the neighbouring country.

The APM presidential candidate said he had visited Daura in Katsina State, a town located close to Nigeria’s border with Niger Republic. He used the visit to draw attention to what he considered a concerning development in the relationship between the two neighbouring countries.

According to Makinde, Niger Republic’s decision to seek alternative routes for transporting its crude oil to the international market rather than using Nigeria raised questions about the country’s regional relations and its position as a major oil-producing nation.

“I was in Daura, less than 20 kilometers to our border with Niger Republic. Those are our neighbours. Is it not concerning that for our neighbours when they discover oil, and they were looking for avenue to take the oil to the international community, they avoided Nigeria,” he said.

Makinde’s remarks focused on the decision to bypass Nigeria despite the geographical proximity between the two countries. His comments also drew attention to the potential importance of cross-border cooperation in facilitating the movement of crude oil and other economic resources.

The statement comes amid broader discussions about Nigeria’s relations with neighbouring countries and the opportunities for regional economic cooperation. For countries seeking access to international markets, transportation infrastructure and agreements with neighbouring states can play important roles in determining the routes used to move petroleum products.

Watch the video from stamp time 41:36 to 42:05 HERE

Castro_Cash_Jagaban feedback-opera-news-app@opera.com