The National Assembly, through its Joint Committee on Industry, Trade, and Investment, has condemned Nigeria’s border closure policy, describing it as ineffective in curbing insecurity and cross-border banditry in states bordering Niger and Chad.
The issue of porous yet closed borders was highlighted during the committee’s 2025 budget defense session with the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment.
Senator Francis Adenigba Fadaunsi (PDP, Osun East), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Industry, criticized the policy, stating that it would be more practical to fully open the borders than to maintain their current “technically closed” status. He noted that the withdrawal of Niger and Chad from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), coupled with the open access provided to Nigerians by these neighboring countries, has exacerbated insecurity and worsened Nigeria’s economic challenges.
“Rather than curbing smuggling, the border closure has encouraged it,” Fadaunsi remarked, citing rice production as an example. He revealed that only 3 million tons of rice are produced locally against a consumption demand of 7 million tons, with the shortfall being smuggled into the country.
Hon. Fatima Talba (Yobe State) added that the borders were effectively open due to the unchecked movement of people and criminals. She urged the government to stop “fooling itself” with the policy.
Similarly, Hon. Paul Kalejaiye (Lagos State) questioned the selective implementation of the border closure, asking if it applies nationwide or only in certain regions.
The committee, chaired by Senator Suleiman Sadiq Umar (APC, Kwara North), called on Minister Dr. Jumoke Oduwole to engage the presidency on revising the policy. During the session, Oduwole presented the ministry’s 2025 budget, including N3.8 billion for capital expenditure and N4.65 billion for personnel costs.
However, the committee instructed the ministry to address errors in its budget documents, particularly a discrepancy involving N59 billion listed for a N50 billion project.
