Border closure: We lose revenue while smugglers, bandits have

By Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja

The joint Committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives on Industry, Trade and Investment have called on the executive to revisit the closure of borders in some parts of the country, saying it is leading to loss of revenue to the country.

According to the lawmakers, the purpose for the closure has been defeated since bandits enter the country at will from Niger and Chad, while trade in smuggled goods goes on seamlessly.

The joint committee made this position known on Friday during a 2025 budget defence session with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment led by the Minister, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole and the Minister of State, Sen. John Enoh.

The minister had earlier briefed the committee on the budget performance of the Ministry for 2023 and 2024, wherein she highlighted efforts made to improve trade relations and volume between Nigeria and neighbouring countries, among others.

Responding to her presentation, the Chairman of Senate Committee on Industry, Sen. Francis Adenigba Fadaunsi (PDP, Osun East) noted that revenue was being lost to the continued border closure in about seven states in the northern part of the country.

He recalled that President Bola Tinubu had ordered the borders to be opened, adding that the Nigeria Customs officials may be looking “at his body language” to be sure if to follow the directive.

According to him, it is better for the borders to be thrown open and the exit of Niger Republic and Chad from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) with attendant opening of their borders to Libya and other war torn countries has worsened insecurity along border states, thereby compounding our economic woes.

He said: “Border closure is hampering economic fortunes of the country because rather than curb smuggling, it encourages it.