…Border Restrictions Driven By Security, Not Policy
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has dismissed the claim by the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, that Nigeria’s land borders remain closed, saying the borders are already open and therefore cannot be reopened.
Tunji-Ojo stated this in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja while reacting to Atiku’s promise to reopen Nigeria’s land borders if elected president in 2027.
The minister, who supervises the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), said it was necessary to correct what he described as a wrong impression about the country’s border status
The minister stated that Nigeria has continued to facilitate regulated movement of people and goods through its land borders while balancing trade and security concerns.
“Several land borders have already been reopened over the past few years, starting with Seme, Illela, Maigatari and Mfum in December 2020.
“Idiroko and Ikom were reopened for goods and services in April 2022, while Kamba and Tsamiya border posts in Kebbi State, linking Nigeria with Niger Republic and Benin Republic, were reopened under the current administration in February 2026,” he said.
Tunji-Ojo also rejected Atiku’s reference to Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin Republic, saying the history of border closures with Cameroon had been misunderstood.
The minister also clarified that restrictions at some border points, particularly in the northern region, are linked to security challenges such as insurgency and banditry rather than trade policies. According to him, maintaining tighter controls in vulnerable areas is necessary to protect residents, traders, and border communities.
“The prolonged closures on the Cameroon border, at Banki and Amchidé, did not arise from the 2019 trade policy at all. They date to 2014, when Boko Haram forced their closure,” he said.
The minister added that those crossings were later reopened after joint security operations involving Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger and Chad.
He acknowledged that some northern border crossings still have tighter restrictions but said the measures were intentional because of ongoing security threats.
Tunji-Ojo argued that border management is more than simply opening or closing crossings.
According to him, it involves security, proper documentation, customs compliance and regulated trade.
“Atiku should present a clear alternative plan for managing Nigeria’s borders rather than treating separate trade and security issues as one matter,” he added
