Smuggling persists, it’s time to stop fooling ourselves with border closure – Lawmakers

Members of the National Assembly have criticised the Nigeria’s border closure policy, describing it as ineffective and self-deceptive in addressing the country’s rising issues of smuggling and cross-border banditry.

Members of the joint committee on Industry, Trade and Investment raised this issue during budget defence session with Jumoke Oduwole, minister of Industry, Trade and Investment stating that Nigeria’s borders remain porous.

Francis Fadaunsi, member of the Committee on Industry argued that it would be more effective to practically reopen the borders rather than maintaining their so-called closure.

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He said the exit of Niger Republic and Chad from the Economic Community of West African States ( ECOWAS ) with attendant opening of their borders to Nigerians are worsening the menace of insecurity across the affected states and further compounding the nation’s economic woes.

“Border closure is hampering economic fortunes of the country because rather than curb smuggling, it encourages it. For example on rice production alone , the largest percentage of 4million tonnes shortfall, is being smuggled into the country since local producers are only producing 3million tonnes out the expected consumption rate of 7million tonnes “, he said .

Fatima Talba, Lawmaker representing Nangere/Potiskum Federal Constituency of Yobe State, supported this view stating that from her constituents’ perspective, the borders are not closed.

“Given the free movement of people and even criminals across the borders, it is time for us to stop fooling ourselves with border closure, ” she said .

In his remarks, Paul Kalejaiye, Lawmaker representing Ajeromi / Ifelodun Federal Constituency of Lagos State in the House of Representatives questioned the form of border closure policy Nigeria is implementing .

” We need to even ask the question on the border policy being implemented . Are all borders across the Nation closed or those closed are from a segment of the country,” he queried.

Suleiman Umar, chairman of the Senate committee urged the Minister of Industry ,Trade and Investment to liaise with the Presidency on way out of the border closure .

Oduwole had earlier in her presentation to the committee , said the sum of N3.8billion is earmarked for capital expenditure in the 2025 fiscal year , N4.65billion for personnel cost , N1.45billion for overhead and projected revenue of N2 4billion .