The Federal Government has approved the reopening of the Tsamiya land border in Kebbi State to restore cross-border trade with the Benin Republic, ending months of closure that disrupted economic activities in the area.
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, announced the decision during an interactive session with stakeholders in Kebbi State, saying President Bola Tinubu gave the approval after sustained consultations.
Adeniyi acknowledged that the prolonged shutdown had caused significant hardship for traders, exporters and transporters, particularly those dealing in perishable goods such as onions. He assured stakeholders that the government was committed to easing their burden while maintaining national security.
According to him, the reopening will be carried out under strict security guidelines to prevent criminals and non-state actors from exploiting the trade corridor. He warned that any truck found diverting from approved transit routes would be seized, adding that Customs would not hesitate to prosecute offenders or sanction erring officers.
To strengthen oversight, the Customs boss disclosed plans to introduce an ICT-based interconnectivity system linking Nigeria’s Customs operations with those of Benin and Niger Republics. The system, he said, would enhance transparency, monitoring and seamless cargo declarations across borders.
He also revealed that a delegation from the Niger Republic Customs Service and its Chamber of Commerce recently visited Abuja to fast-track solutions to regional trade challenges.
Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, welcomed the border reopening, describing it as a boost for the state’s economy and border communities.
He pledged the state government’s full cooperation with Customs and security agencies to ensure smooth operations without compromising safety.
The governor also promised support for families of Customs officers who lost their lives in the line of duty in the area and announced that the state would provide two Hilux vehicles to aid operations around the Tsamiya border.
Representing the Benin Republic Customs Service, senior officer Immora Idrisu praised Nigeria’s decision, reaffirming his country’s commitment to strong bilateral cooperation and secure trade facilitation.
Meanwhile, President of the National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria, Isa Aliyu, said reopening the Tsamiya corridor was critical for onion farmers and traders. He noted that delays caused by the closure led to losses, encouraged illegal routes and reduced government revenue.
Aliyu added that restoring legal trade through the border would support economic diversification, improve revenue generation for producing states, create jobs and enhance trade data collection.
