I’ll reopen borders, develop southern ports if elected — Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has pledged to reopen Nigeria's land borders and improve southern ports if elected president, according to a video circulating online. Atiku argued that the closure of the country's borders with neighboring countries has negatively impacted transborder trade, contributing to youth unemployment.

He explained that many young people who previously operated successful businesses with capital running into millions of naira were forced out of business following the border closures. Atiku also highlighted the need to develop southern ports to balance importation and transportation of goods, which would reduce the cost and time of transporting goods from the south to the north-east.

He mentioned improving port infrastructure in southern states such as Lagos, Calabar, Uyo, and Port Harcourt, where he has a factory. Atiku's stance aligns with the concerns of Nigerians regarding the movement of goods and the development of southern ports. Nigeria's land borders were shut in August 2019, citing the need to curb smuggling and encourage local agricultural production.

The Federal Government has reopened some borders since then, including the Tsamiya land border with Benin Republic and the Kamba corridor linking Nigeria with Niger Republic.