Nigeria has pledged to look into a request made by the Republic of Niger on the need for President Goodluck Jonathan to assist her return to ECOWAS.

The promise to look into the request was contained in a press statement issued by the senior special assistant to the vice president, Alhaji Umar Sani, yesterday in Abuja.

It stated that the vice president, Alhaji Namadi Sambo, made the pledge when the prime minister of Republic of Niger, Mahammadou Danda, briefed him on the situation in his country in N' Djamena, Chad.

It would be recalled that the Republic of Niger was suspended from ECOWAS in October 2009, when former president, Mohammadu Tanja, ignored ECOWAS' advice on his plans to extend his tenure of office.

However, Sambo, according to the statement, expressed optimism that normalcy had returned to Niger, noting that peace in that country was in the interest of Nigeria.

"According to my observation, things have started going on well in Niger. I wish the country well in its effort to bring sustainable peace to its people," he said.

He therefore pledged that he would discuss the request of the prime minister to return his country to ECOWAS with President Goodluck Jonathan.

The vice president reiterated Nigeria's willingness to assist Niger whenever the need arose.

Earlier, the prime minister, said he came to brief Vice President Namadi Sambo on the situation in his country.

"He disclosed that electoral commission had been set up to conduct credible elections in his country.

"The prime minister solicited Nigeria's cooperation for Niger to be returned to the ECOWAS community," the statement said.

Vice President Namadi Sambo was in Chad on Thursday to attend the summit on Pan-African Great Green Wall.