Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has suggested a nine-month transitional period for the Niger junta to return the country to civilian rule.

Mr Tinubu said Niger could emulate the example of former Nigerian military ruler Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar, who returned the country to democratic rule in 1999 after a nine-month stint as a junta leader.

Mr Tinubu, who is also the current chairman of the West African bloc Ecowas, said the Nigerian example had "proved very successful, leading the country into a new era of democratic governance".

“The president sees no reason why such cannot be replicated in Niger, if Niger’s military authorities are sincere,” the statement from the presidency said.

The Niger junta had announced a three-year transition period which has been rejected by Ecowas.

Mr Tinubu spoke as he hosted Islamic leaders who have been on two tours to Niger for talks with the junta.

"I must thank you for your several visits to Niger Republic but you will still have to go back. My fear has been confirmed in Gabon that copycats will start doing the same thing until it is stopped," he said.

He said Ecowas would not lift sanctions imposed on Niger until the junta made “positive adjustments”.