Nigeria’s border closure policy has drawn criticism from the National Assembly‘s Joint Committee on Industry, Trade, and Investment, which has declared it ineffectual in reducing transnational crimes like smuggling and banditry.
Lawmakers voiced their dissatisfaction with the persistent security and economic issues associated with the porous nature of Nigeria’s borders with Niger and Chad during the 2025 budget defence session with the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment. They claim Nigeria may be deluding herself.
The current border closure policy, according to Senator Francis Fadaunsi, chairman of the Senate Committee on Industry, is ineffective. He said that rather than continuing to preserve the appearance of a closure that doesn’t stop smuggling and insecurity, it could be better to formally open the borders.
“Border closure is hurting the nation’s economy because it promotes smuggling instead of reducing it.” For example, only 3 million of the 7 million tonnes of rice that are needed are produced locally, leaving a sizable gap that is supplied by smuggled imports.
Similar views were expressed by Hon. Fatima Talba, who represents Yobe State’s Nangero/Potiskum Federal Constituency. She said that, in her experience, the borders seem open because of the unrestricted movement of criminals and people. “We need to quit lying to ourselves about closing the border.”
She asserts that “it is time for us to stop fooling ourselves with border closure, given the free movement of people and even criminals across the borders.”
Hon. Paul Kalejaiye, who represents Lagos State’s Ajeromi/Ifelodun Federal Constituency, questioned the policy’s uniformity and enquired as to whether the shutdown was administered uniformly across all borders or only in specific areas.
The joint committee, led by Senator Suleiman Sadiq Umar (APC, Kwara North), expressed concerns and asked Dr Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, to work with the Presidency to find a comprehensive solution to the border closure policy’s problems.
During her presentation, Dr Oduwole highlighted the ministry’s 2025 budget, which includes N3.8 billion for capital expenditures, 4.65 billion for personnel costs, and 1.45 billion for overhead. The ministry anticipates earning 24 billion naira in revenue.
Nevertheless, the committee found mistakes in the documents that were submitted. The lawmakers expressed worry about a project that was originally allocated N50 million but was ultimately given N59 million, adding 9 million naira to the Ministry of Trade and Investment’s 2024 budget.
Jumoke Oduwole, the Minister of Trade and Investment, and her colleagues blamed the disparity on a “typographical error” in defending the 2025 budget. However, before the budget draft could be approved, the committee told the minister to correct the mistake.
