On Saturday in Dakar, Senegal, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs announced that the federal government will boost security and economic collaboration with Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, aiming to tackle terrorism, poverty and food insecurity across the West African region.
The announcement was formalised in a statement signed by the spokesperson for the [Ministry of Foreign Affairs](https://foreignaffairs.gov.ng/), Oluwafemi Adeniyi, on the same day.
The declaration came during the inaugural Ministerial Dialogue on Cooperation between the Economic Community of West African States ([ECOWAS](https://www.ecowas.int/)) and the Confederation of Sahel States ([AES](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confederation_of_Sahel_States)), held in Dakar.
**What commitments did Nigeria make?**
Nigeria will reactivate dormant joint commissions with the three Sahelian states to reinforce bilateral relations, promote economic integration and deepen security partnerships. The minister stressed that sustained engagement is essential to address shared challenges and protect the collective interests of citizens.
**Which challenges were highlighted?**
The dialogue identified free movement of people, goods and services, peace and security, terrorism, infrastructure gaps, poverty and food insecurity as priority areas requiring stronger regional cooperation.
**What did the minister say about the dialogue?**
"This dialogue is strategically important for Nigeria and the wider West African sub‑region," Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye stated, emphasizing the need to build on common geographical, historical, cultural and social ties.
**Who attended the meeting?**
The gathering included the foreign ministers of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, ECOWAS Council of Ministers Chair Cheikh Niang, and AES Council of Ministers Coordinator Karamoko Jean‑Marie Traoré. Niang serves as Senegal’s Minister of African Integration, Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad, while Traoré is Burkina Faso’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Regional Cooperation and Burkinabe Abroad.
**What outcomes were agreed upon?**
Participants consented to set up joint thematic working groups to explore cooperation areas and to carry out technical exchanges, paving the way for a comprehensive cooperation framework agreement that will guide future relations between the two regional blocs.
At the close of the dialogue, delegations thanked Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, who chairs the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, for hosting the event and reaffirmed Nigeria’s resolve to work with regional partners on a balanced, realistic framework that respects the sovereignty and dignity of West African nations while improving the welfare of their peoples.