The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has promised to reopen Nigeria’s land borders and improve port infrastructure in the southern part of the country if elected president in 2027.
Atiku made the pledge while addressing supporters in a video shared online by ADC chieftain Dele Momodu on Friday.
The former Vice President argued that restrictions at Nigeria’s borders had negatively affected cross-border trade and contributed to unemployment, particularly among young Nigerians whose businesses depended on regional commerce.
Atiku noted that several northern states share borders with Cameroon, Chad, Niger Republic and Benin Republic, creating opportunities for legitimate transborder trade.
He said the closure of the borders had disrupted the businesses of young traders who previously operated with millions of naira in capital and employed other people.
“All the upcoming young men and women who used to have a capital of 10 million, 20 million, and they were employing two, three other people, and then all of them went bankrupt and unemployed. How can there be security?” he asked.
The ADC candidate declared that he would reopen the borders if given the mandate.
“So I said I am going to reopen the borders and I will,” he said.
Atiku also promised to pursue the development of ports in the South and South-East to create a more balanced system for the importation and distribution of goods across the country.
He said he had previously engaged with shippers and port development companies in Europe to explore possible ways of improving southern ports.
“During the last campaign, I went across to Europe to discuss with shippers and ship development companies how we can together develop South and South-Eastern ports so that there is balance as far as importation of goods and transportation of goods are concerned,” he said.
According to him, improved port facilities in the southern region would reduce the time and cost of transporting goods to northern parts of the country.
Using the movement of containers from Lagos to Yola in Adamawa State as an example, Atiku said poor road infrastructure and the concentration of cargo traffic in Lagos had made transportation unnecessarily difficult.
He argued that moving containers through ports in Calabar, Uyo or Port Harcourt could significantly shorten the journey to the North-East.
“But right now, it takes me not less than two months to take my container from Lagos because you have to cross over from South-West, you go to North-East, and then there is even no road,” he said.
Atiku maintained that his proposal was aimed at addressing concerns over the movement of goods, promoting regional economic activity and developing infrastructure across the country.
Nigeria’s land borders were largely closed in August 2019 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari as part of efforts to tackle smuggling and boost domestic production.
The Federal Government at the time cited the smuggling of rice, poultry products, petroleum products and other goods, as well as the movement of weapons and drugs, among the reasons for the policy.
In December 2020, Buhari ordered the reopening of four major border posts, including Seme in Lagos State, Illela in Sokoto State, Maigatari in Jigawa State and Mfun in Cross River State.
The administration of President Bola Tinubu subsequently reopened the Tsamiya border with Benin Republic in Kebbi State and the Kamba corridor linking Nigeria with Niger Republic in February 2026.
The Nigeria Customs Service said the reopening would be accompanied by measures aimed at preventing smuggling and other illegal activities.
While several strategic border posts have since resumed operations, some land borders remain subject to restrictions and enhanced controls.
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