The National Assembly has criticized Nigeria’s ongoing border closure policy, arguing that the country is fooling itself, especially given the increasing cross-border banditry in states bordering Niger and Chad.
This concern was raised during the 2025 budget defense session between the joint committee on Industry, Trade, and Investment and the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment.
Senator Francis Adenigba Fadaunsi, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Industry, was the first to voice his concerns, stating that Nigeria is deceiving itself with its border closure, as the borders remain porous.
Fadaunsi called for a more practical approach, suggesting that the borders should either be fully opened or effectively closed. He highlighted that the exit of Niger and Chad from the Economic Community of West African States and their subsequent opening of borders to Nigerians has contributed to worsening insecurity in the region and has added to Nigeria’s economic challenges.
He also criticized the border closure for failing to curb smuggling, which continues to thrive despite the policy. Fadaunsi pointed to the example of rice production, where a significant portion of the 4 million tons shortfall is being smuggled into the country. With local producers meeting only 3 million tons of the expected 7 million tons of rice consumption, the border closure has proven ineffective in achieving its intended goals.
“Border closure is hampering the economic fortunes of the country because rather than curb smuggling, it encourages it.
“For example on rice production alone, the largest percentage of 4million tons shortfall is being smuggled into the country since local producers are only producing 3million tons out the expected consumption rate of 7million tons”, he said.
Hon. Fatima Talba, a member of the committee representing Nangero/Potiskum Federal Constituency in Yobe State, expressed a similar sentiment. She argued that the borders were effectively open, as criminals and people continue to cross with little hindrance. Talba called for an honest acknowledgment of the situation, stating that it was time for the country to stop pretending that the borders were closed.
“Going by free movement of people and even criminals across the borders, it is time for us to stop fooling ourselves with border closure”, she said.
Hon. Paul Kalejaiye, representing Ajeromi/Ifelodun Federal Constituency in Lagos State, further questioned the nature of the border closure policy. He raised concerns about whether the policy applied universally across the country or was selectively enforced in certain regions, underscoring the inconsistency in the implementation of the border restrictions.
In response to these concerns, the committee, chaired by Senator Suleiman Sadiq Umar, urged Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, to liaise with the Presidency to find a viable solution to the issue. Oduwole had presented the ministry’s budget for the 2025 fiscal year, which included N3.8 billion for capital expenditure, N4.65 billion for personnel costs, and N1.45 billion for overheads, with a projected revenue of N2.4 billion.
However, the committee pointed out discrepancies in the budget documents, including an error where N59 billion was listed as payment for a N50 billion project, and instructed the ministry to rectify the mistakes.
