Atiku’s Plan To Reopen Land Borders Will Ease Nigeria’s Economic Hardship, Says Dan’Iya
Atiku’s Plan To Reopen Land Borders Will Ease Nigeria’s Economic Hardship, Says Dan’Iya
By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto
The Governorship Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Sokoto State, Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, has backed the decision of ADC’s 2027 presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to reopen land borders should he emerged victorious in 2027.
Dan’iya who submitted that the proposal is not a rethoric rather practical intervention that could restore legitimate cross-border commerce, improve livelihoods and strengthen economic opportunities for communities, particularly in northern states that shares international borders.
A statement issued by Aminu Abdullahi, the Media Aide to Dan’iya said border communities in Sokoto have historically depended on legitimate trade and movement with neighbouring Niger Republic, asserting, reopening the borders under proper customs, immigration and security controls would provide relief to traders, farmers, transporters and other businesses.
“Available trade data show that Nigeria-Niger merchandise trade was worth about $226.34 million in 2022, with Nigeria exporting approximately $192.91 million in goods to Niger and importing about $33.43 million”.
According to Dan’Iya, the Sokoto 2027 ADC governorship candidate, the economic consequences of restrictions on legitimate cross-border trade should not be ignored, especially, at a time when Nigerian households are facing high transportation and food costs.
“Recent analysis of the Nigeria-Niger border situation found that restrictions disrupted both formal and informal trade, reduced market access for local producers and contributed to economic pressures in border communities.
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“For Sokoto, opening the border means opening opportunities for our traders, farmers, transporters and small businesses. We support Atiku’s position 100 percent because government must make legitimate economic activity easier, not harder, for its citizens,” Dan’Iya enthused
On the security situation, Dan’Iya further commended Atiku’s commitment to tackling insecurity, saying economic revival will also have positive impact on security as poverty and unemployment makes people vulnerable to recruitment for vices.
“A recent SBM Intelligence report recorded 7,825 kidnappings and at least 1,142 deaths between July 2025 and June 2026, while ransom payments reportedly exceeded ₦7.78 billion during the period”.
Dan’iya said the worsening insecurity across the North-West, including Sokoto, requires an intelligence-led strategy, stronger border management, improved policing and military capacity, community engagement and action against the economic networks financing criminal groups.
Dan’iya further stressed that reopening borders must not mean abandoning security controls or creating avenues for smuggling and trafficking. Rather, he said an ADC administration would pursue secure and properly managed borders, with modern customs and immigration systems, intelligence sharing with neighbouring countries and effective surveillance.
He maintained that the objective should be to distinguish legitimate commerce from criminal activity, allowing law-abiding citizens to trade freely while security agencies concentrate on terrorists, bandits, traffickers and smugglers. “We can have open borders and strong security at the same time. What Nigerians need is a government that knows how to facilitate legitimate movement and trade while stopping criminals,”Dan’Iya maintained
