Presidency Defends Nigeria's Open Borders Against Atiku

Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, stated that the Federal Government announced the reopening of most of Nigeria's land borders on March 14, 2024, and has not reversed this decision. He questioned which borders Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President, intends to "open" since they are already open.

Dare referenced President Tinubu's opening of the Kamba borders in Kebbi State on February 14, 2026. The statement urged clarity from Atiku regarding the controls he proposes to remove, the necessity of such actions, and the safeguards against terrorism and organized crime.

The Presidency criticized Atiku's approach as potentially misleading, asserting that an open border does not equate to an uncontrolled one. The statement highlighted the need for modern border management to facilitate legitimate trade while preventing criminal exploitation, particularly given Nigeria's security challenges linked to its borders with Niger, Chad, and Cameroon.