Nigerian borders will remain closed till January 31, 2020

While neighbouring countries in the West African corridor continue to implore Nigeria to reconsider its border closure policy, the Federal government has insisted that the borders will remain closed till January 31, 2020.

The government had earlier closed Nigeria’s land border with Benin Republic to curtail the smuggling of rice and other items into the country. The government said it took the decision to boost local production and revitalize the economy.

Clarifying the current situation, the Nigerian Customs Service declared that the borders would remain closed even after the set date until Nigeria’s neighbours decide to respect ECOWAS protocol regarding trade within the subregion.

Some stakeholders are worried that the extension of the border closure will continue to hurt businesses, especially SMEs in Nigeria.

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But the Comptroller General of Nigerian Customs Service, Col. Hammed Ali (Rtd.) said the ‘notion that the border closure is what has created pressure on the suffering of the Nigerian citizens is unfounded’.

He further boasted that Nigeria is on the path to greatness as China closed its borders for 40 years and today they’re great.