The acting comptroller-general of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Wale Adeniyi has revealed that not all borders in the country have been reopened.
Speaking to state house correspondents after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Villa, Adeniyi addressed the closure measure initiated by former President Muhammadu Buhari in August 2019 as a means to combat smuggling and promote local rice production.
As of December 6, 2020, Buhari gave the directive for the immediate reopening of four land borders.
Adeniyi stated that while selected strategic borders were indeed reopened in 2022, a comprehensive evaluation is currently underway to assess the effectiveness of the closure.
“Well, it is not true that all Nigerian borders have been opened. The status quo ante still exists in the borders.
“If you remember that the borders were completely shut down in 2018 up until 2022 when some selected strategic borders were reopened, that is still the situation as we speak.”
Adeniyi noted that five borders have been reopened, with four initially opened and two more added later on.
He emphasized that ongoing processes are being conducted to evaluate the closure’s objectives, and until those processes are completed, the current situation will persist.
The acting comptroller-general dismissed any rumor regarding the reopening of borders, stating that it will not be a subject of speculation.
Adeniyi also expressed plans to visit the Republic of Benin for engaging with the country’s customs administration.
This visit aims to strengthen collaboration, address border security concerns, facilitate smooth importation across the border, and explore technological solutions to complex border challenges.