The Presidency has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over his promise to reopen Nigeria’s land borders if elected president in the 2027 general elections.
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, had said reopening the country’s land borders would help strengthen cross-border trade and support businesses involved in regional commerce.
However, the Presidency said the claim was misleading, arguing that the Federal Government had already reopened most of Nigeria’s land borders.
Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, said the government reopened most of the borders on March 14, 2024.
Dare also cited the reopening of the Kamba border in Kebbi State by President Tinubu on February 14, 2026, saying the decision had delivered economic and diplomatic benefits.
He consequently challenged Atiku to clarify which borders he intended to reopen and whether his proposal involved relaxing existing security measures.
According to Dare, any move to ease border controls must take into account the risks posed by terrorism, arms trafficking, smuggling, human trafficking and other forms of transnational organised crime.
He stressed that an open border should not be confused with an uncontrolled border, noting that effective border management should allow legitimate trade and movement while preventing criminal networks from exploiting border routes.
Dare further argued that Nigeria’s evolving security challenges make effective border management essential to national security.
He said political competition was legitimate, but maintained that proposals concerning national security and the economy should be based on facts, an understanding of existing institutions and a clear alternative policy agenda.
The Presidency therefore urged Atiku to provide Nigerians with specific details of the border policies he intends to introduce if elected in 2027.
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