Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji Ojo has rejected former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s statement that he would reopen Nigeria’s land borders if elected in 2027, arguing that the country’s major crossings are already open.
Tunji Ojo said the claim confused separate periods of trade restrictions, security related closures and infrastructure limitations.
The minister, whose portfolio includes oversight of the Nigeria Immigration Service, said several major borders were reopened before the current administration.
He cited the reopening of Seme, Illela, Maigatari and Mfum in December 2020.
Idiroko and Ikom were reopened for goods and services in April 2022.
Tunji Ojo also said the current government reopened Kamba and Tsamiya in Kebbi State in February 2026, restoring links toward Niger Republic and Benin Republic.
He separately addressed border restrictions involving Cameroon.
According to the minister, Banki and Amchidé had been closed in 2014 because of Boko Haram attacks and were later reopened following military and stabilisation operations.
Fotokol and Gambaru were also reopened after security improvements.
Tunji Ojo argued that presenting these episodes as one continuous closure beginning in 2019 distorted the distinction between trade policy and counter insurgency measures.
He acknowledged that some northern crossings still operate under restrictions.
The minister said those limitations were based on continuing banditry or insurgent activity rather than a blanket national border closure.
Tunji Ojo argued that modern border management required a balance between security, lawful movement, documentation, customs enforcement and trade facilitation.
He challenged Atiku to explain what specific policy changes he would introduce rather than describe the current system as completely closed.
The statement is a political rebuttal from the government to an opposition campaign position.
The material supplied does not include Atiku’s detailed response to Tunji Ojo’s claims.
The wider policy debate is therefore likely to focus on whether current border operations provide adequate support for lawful trade while maintaining security controls in high risk areas.
