Presidency Fires Back At Atiku: “Nigeria’s Borders Are Already Open

The Presidency has responded to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s proposal to reopen Nigeria’s land borders if elected president in the 2027 general election.

According to Ireporter Online, Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, had said reopening the land borders would encourage cross-border commerce and strengthen businesses involved in regional trade.

Reacting to the proposal, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, said the Federal Government had already reopened most of the country’s land borders on March 14, 2024.

Dare also highlighted the reopening of the Kamba border in Kebbi State by President Tinubu on February 14, 2026, saying the development had generated economic and diplomatic benefits.

The presidential aide questioned which specific borders Atiku intended to reopen, asking whether the former vice-president was proposing the removal or relaxation of some of the security measures currently regulating movement across the country’s borders.

Dare stressed that while Nigeria’s borders could be open to legitimate trade and movement, such openness should not mean abandoning security controls designed to prevent criminal activities.

He argued that effective border management must strike a balance between facilitating legitimate economic activities and protecting the country from threats such as terrorism, arms trafficking, smuggling, human trafficking and other forms of transnational organised crime.

The presidential aide further noted that the evolving nature of insurgency and terrorism makes strong border management an important part of Nigeria’s national security strategy.

He urged political actors to ensure that campaign promises, particularly those involving national security and the economy, are supported by facts and a clear understanding of existing government policies.

Dare maintained that while political competition remains an important part of democracy, presidential candidates should present credible and practical alternatives capable of addressing the country’s security and economic challenges.