By Abba -Eku Onyeka, Abuja
The National Assembly has expressed concerns over the effectiveness of Nigeria’s border closure, citing the ongoing cross-border banditry and smuggling in states sharing borders with Niger and the Republic of Chad.
This criticism came to the fore during the 2025 budget defense session, where the joint committee on Industry, Trade, and Investment met with the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment.
Senator Francis Adenigba Fadaunsi, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Industry, was the first to lament the issue of porous closed borders. He argued that it’s better for the borders to be practically opened rather than technically closed, highlighting the futility of the current policy.
The border closure was initially implemented to curb smuggling and boost domestic production. However, experts argue that this policy has not only failed to achieve its objectives but has also led to unintended consequences, such as increased food inflation and corruption.
Nigeria’s neighbors, particularly Benin, have been accused of exploiting the country’s porous borders, with Benin becoming an “entrepôt state” that imports goods only to re-export them into Nigeria ². This has led to a significant loss of revenue for Nigeria and has undermined the country’s efforts to boost domestic production.
The National Assembly has urged the Ministry to liaise with the presidency to find a solution to the ongoing challenges posed by the border closure. As the country struggles to find a balance between protecting its domestic industries and promoting regional trade, it remains to be seen whether the government will revisit its border closure policy.
