Fourteen Months After Closure, FG To Reopen Border

The Federal Government has announced the re-opening of the nation’s land borders, fourteen months after closure. 

The President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration had closed Nigeria’s borders to its neighboring countries in August 2019, with the aim of ending smuggling across the porous borders as well as improving the local production.

The closure had a devastating effect on the economies of the neighboring countries as major exporters of food also pushed up prices of staple products such as rice at markets around Nigeria.

The closure of the border is being implemented under an exercise, code-named, ‘Ex-Swift Response,’ jointly conducted by the customs, immigration, police and military personnel and coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser. 

Buhari had said that the partial closure of Nigeria’s border with Benin Republic, was due to the massive smuggling activities, especially of rice, taking place on that corridor.

While government officials have repeatedly defended the closure, arguing that it was best for the economy, some finance and economic experts have said the move was having a negative impact on trade.

Speaking at the State house on Wednesday, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, said that the Presidential Committee which was set up to address the issues concerning the border closure, has completed its job and has recommended that the borders be opened.

According to the Minister, the committee is expected to submit its report to the President Muhammadu Buhari, who would make the pronouncement soon.

Details on when the borders would be opened is yet to be disclosed.