Border closure is hampering the economic fortunes of the country. – Senator Fadaunsi
The National Assembly’s joint committee on Industry, Trade, and Investment has raised concerns over Nigeria’s border closure, particularly in light of ongoing security challenges linked to cross-border banditry.
This issue came to the forefront during the committee’s 2025 budget defense session with the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment.
Senator Francis Adenigba Fadaunsi, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Industry, was the first to voice concerns about the state of Nigeria’s borders. “It is better for the borders to be practically opened and not technically closed,” he said.
According to Fadaunsi, this technical closure still allows illegal activities to thrive, particularly in the states bordering Niger and Chad.
He pointed out that the recent exit of Niger and Chad from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and their open borders with Nigeria have worsened the security situation in the affected regions.
“The opening of borders to Nigerians is worsening the menace of insecurity across the affected states and by extension, compounding the Nation’s economic woes,” he noted.
Fadaunsi also emphasized the economic impact of the border closure, stating, “Border closure is hampering the economic fortunes of the country because rather than curb smuggling, it encourages it.”
He cited the example of rice production, where local producers only meet 3 million tons of the expected 7 million tons consumption, while the remaining 4 million tons are smuggled into the country. “For example on rice production alone, the largest percentage of 4 million tons shortfall is being smuggled into the country,” he added.
