I’ll Reopen Borders, Develop Southern Ports if Elected — Atiku

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has promised to reopen Nigeria’s land borders if elected president in 2027.

Atiku made the pledge while addressing supporters in a video circulating online and shared by ADC chieftain Dele Momodu on Friday.

He said the closure and restrictions at Nigeria’s borders with neighbouring countries had negatively affected transborder trade and contributed to unemployment among young Nigerians.

Atiku noted that several northern states share borders with Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin Republic, arguing that cross-border trade had provided legitimate business opportunities for many Nigerians.

“The Northern states is bordering Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Benin Republic. And you close all those borders,” Atiku said.

He explained that many young entrepreneurs who previously operated businesses with millions of naira in capital had been forced out of business following the border closures.

He linked the loss of livelihoods to insecurity, arguing that unemployed young people could become more vulnerable to criminal activities.

“So I said I am going to reopen the borders and I will,” the former vice president declared.

Atiku also promised to develop ports in southern Nigeria to improve the movement of goods and create a more balanced transportation network.

He said he had previously engaged shippers and ship development companies in Europe over possible ways of developing ports in the South and South-East.

According to him, strengthening ports in places such as Calabar, Uyo and Port Harcourt would reduce the time and cost of transporting goods to northern parts of the country.

Atiku cited the transportation of containers from Lagos to Yola, Adamawa State, where he said he has a factory, as an example of the challenges faced by businesses.

He argued that goods transported through southern ports could reach the North-East more quickly if the necessary infrastructure was developed.

Nigeria’s land borders were largely closed in August 2019 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, with the Federal Government citing the need to curb smuggling and encourage domestic production.

Several borders were subsequently reopened, including Seme, Illela, Maigatari and Mfun in December 2020.

Under President Bola Tinubu, the Tsamiya border with Benin Republic in Kebbi State and the Kamba corridor linking Nigeria with Niger Republic were also reopened in February 2026.

However, some land borders have continued to operate under restrictions and tighter controls.

Atiku said his proposed border and port reforms would promote trade, create employment and improve the movement of goods across Nigeria.