By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Nigeria Customs |
ABUJA, NIGERIA – In a move set to reshape regional commerce, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially ordered the reopening of Nigeria's land borders with the Republic of Benin, specifically the Tsamiya corridor in Kebbi State.
This directive, announced on February 7, 2026, ends a seven-year closure that began in 2019 under the previous administration to curb smuggling and promote local rice production.
The President’s decision is rooted in a strategic push to alleviate the economic hardship faced by border communities and to stimulate the free flow of foreign trade within the West African sub-region. By reopening this vital trade artery, the federal government aims to revive the "northern food basket," allowing the legal transit of agricultural products like onions, grains, and peppers, which had been severely restricted for years.
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, confirmed the presidential approval during a high-level stakeholders' engagement in Birnin Kebbi. Adeniyi revealed that the reopening is not "business as usual," as it will be guided by advanced ICT-based tracking systems and stricter monitoring protocols to ensure that legitimate trade does not become a conduit for illegal activities.
“I am happy to convey the approval of Mr. President to all stakeholders that the Tsamiya border will now be reopened for services,” the Customs CG stated. “We must facilitate trade without compromising national security. Any truck found outside the approved transit corridor will be seized immediately.”
The move has been met with widespread acclaim from economic experts and state leaders. Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State lauded the President for keeping his promises to the people of the Northwest, noting that the state government is already providing critical infrastructure and social amenities at the border to ensure smooth operations. Over 2,000 trucks that had been stranded at the borders for months have already begun moving toward their destinations.
However, the reopening comes with a stern warning regarding security. President Tinubu emphasized that security agencies must maintain "maximum protection" for residents in these areas. This follows recent concerns over the porous nature of the borders and the activities of non-state actors.