Tunji-Ojo Disputes Atiku's Border Reopening Claims

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior, criticized former Vice President Atiku Abubakar's assertion regarding the closure of Nigeria's land borders, stating that they are not closed and thus cannot be reopened. In a statement made on Saturday, Tunji-Ojo clarified that the Nigeria Immigration Service, under his ministry, manages border and migration issues, facilitating controlled movement and trade.

He noted that the previous administration reopened four major land borders on December 16, 2020, and additional borders in 2022 and 2026. Tunji-Ojo contested Atiku's claims about prolonged closures due to a 2019 trade policy, explaining that closures at the Cameroon border were due to security issues stemming from Boko Haram since 2014.

He acknowledged that some northern crossings face restrictions due to ongoing security challenges and warned against reopening borders without addressing security concerns, advocating for a balanced approach to border management that includes security and trade facilitation.