Nigeria border closure news

Here are some recent news updates on the Nigeria border closure:

Latest Updates:

  1. Nigeria to reopen borders soon: The Nigerian government has announced that it will reopen the country's borders soon, after a closure that lasted for over a year. The decision was made after a meeting between the President Muhammadu Buhari and the Chairman of the National Council of State, Governor Nasir el-Rufai. (Source: Vanguard News)
  2. Border closure: Nigeria loses N1.5 trillion: The closure of Nigeria's borders has resulted in a loss of N1.5 trillion to the country's economy, according to a report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The report also stated that the closure has led to a decline in the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 1.5%. (Source: The Punch)
  3. Nigeria, Benin Republic agree on border reopening: Nigeria and Benin Republic have agreed to reopen their borders, following a meeting between the two countries' leaders. The agreement was reached after a meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and his Beninese counterpart, Patrice Talon. (Source: Premium Times)
  4. Nigeria, Niger Republic agree on border reopening: Nigeria and Niger Republic have also agreed to reopen their borders, following a meeting between the two countries' leaders. The agreement was reached after a meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and his Nigerien counterpart, Mahamadou Issoufou. (Source: Leadership Newspaper)

Background:

Nigeria closed its borders in August 2019, citing the need to curb smuggling and other illegal activities. The closure was initially intended to be temporary, but it has since been extended several times. The closure has had significant economic and social impacts on the country, including a decline in trade and a rise in food prices.

Reasons for the closure:

The Nigerian government cited several reasons for the border closure, including:

  1. Smuggling: The government claimed that smuggling was a major problem, with goods worth billions of naira being smuggled into the country.
  2. Security: The government also cited security concerns, including the presence of armed gangs and terrorists in the border regions.
  3. Economic benefits: The government claimed that the closure would help to boost the country's economy by reducing the flow of foreign goods and promoting local production.

Impact of the closure:

The border closure has had significant impacts on the Nigerian economy and society, including:

  1. Food prices: The closure has led to a rise in food prices, as goods are no longer being smuggled into the country.
  2. Trade: The closure has disrupted trade between Nigeria and its neighboring countries, leading to a decline in economic activity.
  3. Unemployment: The closure has also led to a rise in unemployment, as businesses have been forced to shut down or reduce operations.
  4. Humanitarian crisis: The closure has also led to a humanitarian crisis, as many people have been left without access to basic necessities such as food and medicine.

Reopening of the borders:

The Nigerian government has announced plans to reopen the country's borders, following a meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and the Chairman of the National Council of State, Governor Nasir el-Rufai. The reopening is expected to take place soon, although a specific date has not been announced.