After months of mounting blockade at its land borders, stopping the transit of goods, the Nigerian government on Wednesday said it is currently consideration a re-opening.
According to the government, this follows recommendations by a presidential committee set up to weigh the merit and demerits of the border closure.
Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed who spoke with newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja said the presidential committee set up on the matter has completed its job and has recommended the reopening of the borders.
The minister stated that the committee would soon submit its report to President Muhammadu Buhari.
However, the president will make a formal pronouncement before the borders are once again re-opened.
Nigeria shut its borders against neighbours in August 2019. The government said the action was to curtail illegal importation of drugs, small arms and agricultural products into the country from West Africa.
While the Buhari’s government has been attempting to list the benefits of the border closure, bussiness owners have complained over the decision, noting it has led to untold hardship among citizens, as it blocks Nigerians from trading directly with the rest of West Africa and beyond. This, some analysts have traced to the disturbing inflationary trend in the country at the moment.
