Nigeria’s border closure, a policy intended to curb smuggling and bolster national security, is being increasingly criticised by lawmakers as ineffective and counterproductive.
During a joint committee session of the National Assembly on Industry, Trade, and Investment, members expressed concerns over the growing insecurity and economic fallout resulting from the policy, particularly in states bordering Niger and Chad.
The issue took center stage at the 2025 budget defense session, where Senator Francis Adenigba Fadaunsi, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Industry, opened the discussion by questioning the viability of the closed borders. Fadaunsi, representing Osun East (PDP), pointed out that the policy was not just failing to prevent smuggling but was instead exacerbating it. He argued that the closure had become a mere technicality, with porous borders allowing illegal activities to thrive unchecked.
“The borders are practically open, and we are fooling ourselves with the notion of closure. The recent exit of Niger and Chad from ECOWAS and the opening of their borders to Nigerians have worsened insecurity, especially in states sharing borders with these countries. It is time to rethink the policy,” Fadaunsi stated. He highlighted the negative impact on Nigeria’s economy, particularly in agricultural production, where smuggling is undermining efforts to boost local rice production.
Fadaunsi pointed to the alarming shortfall in local rice production—3 million tons compared to a national consumption rate of 7 million tons—with much of the deficit being smuggled in through porous borders. “Rather than curbing smuggling, the border closure is encouraging it,” he emphasized.
The criticism was echoed by Hon. Fatima Talba, representing Nangero/Potiskum Federal Constituency in Yobe State, who questioned the real impact of the policy on the ground. “In my constituency, the borders are as open as ever. Criminals and ordinary citizens are freely moving across them. We cannot keep fooling ourselves with this policy,” she declared.
Hon. Paul Kalejaiye of Ajeromi/Ifelodun Federal Constituency in Lagos also raised pertinent questions about the border policy’s implementation. “What is the actual scope of the border closure? Are all borders in the country closed, or are only select ones affected? This needs to be clarified,” he said.
The concerns prompted the committee, chaired by Senator Suleiman Sadiq Umar (APC, Kwara North), to urge Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, to engage with the Presidency for a clearer path forward. Oduwole, who was presenting her ministry’s budget for 2025, had earlier outlined a capital expenditure of N3.8 billion, a personnel cost of N4.65 billion, and an overhead of N1.45 billion, with a projected revenue of N2.4 billion. However, the committee flagged some discrepancies in the budget documents, including a misstatement of N59 billion as the payment for a N50 billion project, and instructed the ministry to make corrections.
As debates continue over the future of Nigeria’s border closure, the government faces increasing pressure to reconcile security concerns with economic realities, particularly in the face of escalating insecurity and smuggling.
