Presidency Refutes Atiku on Nigeria's Land Borders Status

The Presidency has countered a statement made by Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, regarding the reopening of Nigeria's land borders. In a video, Atiku claimed that the closure of borders had negatively impacted businesses and worsened insecurity.

However, the Presidency clarified that most land borders were reopened on March 14, 2024, and highlighted that President Tinubu had opened the Kamba borders in Kebbi State on February 14, 2026. Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President, emphasized that effective border management is crucial for national security, facilitating legitimate trade while preventing criminal activities.

The statement noted that Nigeria's northern security environment is interconnected with issues in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin, where terrorism and organized crime exploit border porosity. The Global Terrorism Index 2026 indicates a high incidence of terrorist attacks near international borders, underscoring the need for coordinated security efforts.