2027 Elections Debate: Atiku Pledges the Reopening of Borders, if Elected
Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress for the 2027 election, has intensified his issue-based campaign by pledging to reopen Nigeria’s land borders with...
Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress for the 2027 election, has intensified his issue-based campaign by pledging to reopen Nigeria’s land borders with neighbouring countries if elected. He said the closures seriously disrupted economic activity in Northern states bordering Cameroon, Chad, Niger Republic and Benin Republic.
The former Vice President made the remarks on Thursday at his Abuja residence during a courtesy visit by the Emmanuel Ntekim-led Atiku Agenda Support Group. He said the restrictions had pushed many young Nigerians who depended on legitimate cross-border trade into financial hardship.
He said reopening the borders would help revive cross-border commerce and restore economic opportunities for affected communities.
Border Closure Is Not Tinubu’s Main Issue
For Tinubu’s government, border closure may not be a major concern. As the Chairman of ECOWAS, Tinubu ordered the closure of Nigeria’s land and air borders with the Republic of Niger following a military coup in that country. He did not order total closure of all Nigerian borders. Furthermore, in compliance with ECOWAS resolutions, Tinubu reversed the directive. He ordered the immediate reopening of the land and air borders with Niger.
In May 2025, to further encourage regional trade, Tinubu directed a task force to dismantle excessive security checkpoints along major corridors like the Seme border.
The Tinubu government has reported impressive trans-border trade figures and also set up a Presidential Task Force under the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to clear excessive checkpoints along vital trade routes like the Seme-Badagry corridor.
The Nigeria Customs Service has officially reopened the Tsamiya–Segbana border post in Kebbi State, linking Nigeria with Benin and the Niger Republic. This is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to reopen the border post to boost regional trade and strengthen border security.
Nigeria’s trade balance increased from ₦5.1 trillion in 2023 to a reported ₦16.9 trillion in 2024, reflecting higher export activity and shifts in trade movement. Non-oil export revenue rose by 38.7% year-on-year in early 2026, with container handling volumes nearly doubling compared to previous periods.
The total volume and monetary value of formally recorded trans-border trade between Nigeria and its West African neighbours have grown significantly under President Bola Tinubu. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reveals that Nigeria’s trade with fellow Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member nations surged by 43% to an estimated ₦6.9 trillion over a nine-month tracking period.
However, this growth reflects a dual reality: while formal monetary figures have spiked due to trade reforms, currency fluctuations, and critical border reopenings, intra-regional trade volume as a percentage of total economic activity remains stubbornly stagnant.
The matter is unlikely to end there, as Nigerians await the Tinubu government’s response to Atiku’s pledge to reopen the borders. Notably, key issues are already emerging even before the leading candidates release their full manifestos ahead of Nigeria’s January presidential election.
Days earlier, Atiku Abubakar also pledged to restore the fuel subsidy and replace its sudden removal with a targeted, gradual phase-out to ease hardship. Although he has yet to explain how the proposal would work, the Tinubu government has dismissed it as confused, saying it had been revised three times within 48 hours.
Nevertheless, the government has taken steps to address Nigerians’ hardship, including launching the ₦1.4 trillion Household Prosperity and Empowerment Social Protection Project (HOPE-SP), a programme designed to reduce poverty by moving vulnerable Nigerians beyond short-term palliatives.
Also on Thursday, the President met with state governors, and they agreed to work toward reducing citizens’ transportation costs from October 1.
No Comment! Be the first one.