As ECOWAS continues diplomatic efforts to resolve Niger’s political crisis, President Bola Tinubu met Sunday with five northern Nigerian governors whose states border the coup-stricken nation.

The consultations at Aso Rock included Governors Ahmed Aliyu (Sokoto), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Idris Nasir (Kebbi) and Dikko Radda (Katsina).

Details of the closed-door talks were not publicized. However, the meeting comes as ECOWAS has imposed border restrictions on Niger under Tinubu’s leadership.

ECOWAS previously threatened potential military intervention to restore Niger’s democratic government after last week’s coup. A Sunday deadline for the junta to comply has now expired.

Regional military chiefs have prepared contingency plans for a possible Niger operation. But ECOWAS officials say they hope sustained diplomacy will convince the junta to reverse course.

Involving governors of Nigeria’s northern border regions indicates Tinubu’s intent to collaborate closely with impacted states on the evolving Niger crisis. Their perspectives will help shape the federal response.