Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has responded to criticism over the decision to explore possible military intervention in Niger over last month's coup.

He insisted that this, and the ultimatum given to Niger’s military coup leaders to reinstate the ousted president, was the Ecowas regional bloc's decision and not a Nigerian mandate.

It comes as Mr Tinubu, who is also the current Ecowas chairman, has been under fire for supposedly canvassing for military intervention in Niger.

A spokesperson for the Nigerian government said the president "has deemed it necessary to state unequivocally that the mandate and ultimatum issued by Ecowas is that of Ecowas’ position”.

In a statement, the spokesperson also says the financial sanctions against Niger are imposed by Ecowas.

Ecowas had said it prefers a diplomatic and political resolution aimed at restoring Niger’s elected President Mohamed Bazoum. It said a military intervention would be a “last option", should the junta remain defiant.

Following the expiration of the Ecowas deadline on Sunday, Ecowas heads of state will be meeting on Thursday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, where deliberations on the next line of action on Niger will be in focus.