Tunji-Ojo hits back at Atiku: Nigeria's borders are not closed

Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has pushed back against former Vice President Atiku Abubakar's pledge to reopen Nigeria's land borders, insisting the borders are not closed and do not need reopening. Tunji-Ojo spoke on Saturday in a statement on X, responding to Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for 2027.

Atiku had promised to reopen Nigeria's land borders and ease the movement of goods across neighbouring countries if elected. He argued that border closures disrupted transborder trade, caused business failures and worsened insecurity, especially in northern border communities.

What Tunji-Ojo said

Tunji-Ojo, who oversees the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), said Atiku's comments did not reflect the current state of border operations. He listed border posts that have been reopened under previous and current administrations.

“On 16 December 2020, the previous government reopened Seme, Illela, Maigatari and Mfum, with the rest to follow. Idiroko and Ikom were reopened for goods and services on 20 April 2022, while Kamba and Tsamiya in Kebbi State were reopened under the current administration in February 2026, linking Nigeria with Niger Republic and Benin Republic respectively,” he stated.

The minister also addressed Atiku's references to borders with Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin Republic. He explained that closures at Banki and Amchidé date back to 2014, when Boko Haram insurgency forced their shutdown. They were gradually reopened following joint security efforts involving Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger and Chad.

“Folding this separate, security-driven history into one continuous 2019 shutdown misrepresents two distinct issues, trade regulation and counter-insurgency, as a single failure,” Tunji-Ojo said.

Security remains key

Tunji-Ojo acknowledged that some border crossings still operate with restrictions, but said such measures are based on security assessments. He said tighter controls are necessary in areas affected by banditry and residual insurgent activity.

“Where banditry or residual insurgent activity persists, tighter control is a deliberate security judgment, not neglect. Reopening ahead of the security situation would expose traders and border communities to greater risk,” he added.

The minister argued that modern border management requires a balance between security, customs compliance, documentation requirements and trade facilitation. He urged political actors to present alternative policy proposals rather than revisit what he called inaccurate history.

“Political competition should not become a competition to rewrite recent history. If he has a new border proposal, he should set it out and explain how it differs from the current approach,” the minister said.

Atiku's position

Atiku, seeking the presidency under the ADC platform, recently criticised Nigeria's border management policies. In a video circulated by the ADC, he described transborder trade as a legitimate source of income for many Nigerians.

“Northern states border Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin Republic. You close all those borders, and all the young men and women who depend on transborder trade lose their businesses and become unemployed. How can there be security?” Atiku said.

He pledged to reopen borders and implement policies that would facilitate trade and the movement of goods if elected in 2027. The former vice president has also proposed restoring targeted fuel subsidy support focused on domestic refining and production, saying it would reduce living costs and improve purchasing power while supporting local industry.

The exchange comes as Atiku intensifies his campaign ahead of the 2027 presidential election. For border communities and transborder traders, the debate over border policy is now a central campaign issue, with both sides offering competing visions of how to balance security and commerce.