Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has responded to former Vice-President and ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar over his promise to reopen Nigeria’s land borders if elected in 2027.
Tunji-Ojo said the borders are already open and therefore cannot be “reopened,” describing Atiku’s position as a misrepresentation of Nigeria’s recent border history.
The minister said several major land borders were reopened under previous and current administrations, including Seme, Illela, Maigatari, Mfum, Idiroko, Ikom, Kamba and Tsamiya.
“Nigerian borders are not closed and so cannot be reopened.”
Tunji-Ojo also explained that some border restrictions were introduced because of security threats and should not be confused with the 2019 trade policy.
He cited the Banki and Amchidé crossings with Cameroon, saying their closure began in 2014 because of Boko Haram activities and was unrelated to the later trade restrictions.
According to the minister, the crossings were reopened in stages following joint military and stabilisation efforts involving Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger and Chad.
He maintained that describing the various security-related restrictions as one continuous border closure was misleading.
Tunji-Ojo acknowledged that some northern crossings still face tighter controls because of banditry and residual insurgent threats, stressing that the measures were intended to protect border communities and traders.
He argued that effective border management should balance national security, proper documentation, customs compliance and trade facilitation, rather than simply choosing between completely closing or opening borders.
The minister challenged Atiku to explain what would be different under his proposed border policy, saying political competition should not involve rewriting recent history.
The exchange adds border management and regional trade to the growing list of issues likely to feature prominently in the 2027 presidential campaign.
Source: Statement by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
