The President, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd), has reopened four land borders in three of the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria with immediate effect but the ban on importation of rice, poultry, among others remained.
The borders reopened by the president are Seme border in the South- West, Illela and Maigatari borders in the North- West, and Mfun border in the South-South.
With the latest development, import and export of approved goods would begin in earnest after months of closure, a development that impeded businesses and social activities.
Millions of Nigerians had decried the closure of the borders, saying the development had aggravated poverty, made the cost of basic needs high and crippled the source of livelihood of many.
The closure of the borders had also grossly affected the economic fortunes of neighbouring Benin and Niger Republics, Chad, Cameroon, Ghana, among others.
Government had at the onset said the borders were closed to stop the importation of contrabands including arms and ammunitions, boost agriculture and protect the local economy.
The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed disclosed the reopening of the four borders after the 28th virtual Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Council Chamber of State House, Abuja.
President Buhari participated at the meeting virtually from his country home in Daura, Katsina State.
Hajiya Zainab said the remaining officially recognised borders would be reopened on or before December 31, 2020.
She said:
“The president has approved the recommendations of the committee that I chaired with the ministers of trade and investment, interior, foreign affairs, national security adviser and comptroller general of Customs.”
