The Presidency has reaffirmed the openness of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to scrutiny, saying its performance should be assessed on measurable outcomes in security, economic recovery, border management and citizens’ welfare.
The Presidency stated this in response to former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, who said he would immediately “open the borders” if elected president.
In a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Mr Sunday Dare, the Presidency maintained that Nigeria’s land borders are already open, noting that the Federal Government announced the reopening of most of them on March 14, 2024, and has not reversed the decision.
It also cited the reopening of the Kamba border in Kebbi State by President Tinubu on February 14, 2026, saying the move had produced economic and diplomatic benefits.
Dare challenged Atiku to clarify whether his proposal meant relaxing existing border controls and, if so, explain the safeguards he would introduce against terrorism, arms trafficking, smuggling, human trafficking and other transnational crimes.
He stressed that an open border should not be confused with an uncontrolled one, noting that effective border management requires immigration and customs controls, intelligence-sharing, surveillance technology and coordinated security operations.
Citing the Global Terrorism Index 2026, Dare said approximately 41 per cent of terrorist attacks occur within 50 kilometres of an international border, while about 64 per cent occur within 100 kilometres.
He said the figures underscored the importance of effective border management, particularly amid evolving terrorist threats across the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin.
The Presidency also challenged Atiku to explain how he would improve border surveillance, strengthen intelligence-sharing with neighbouring countries, modernise customs and immigration operations, protect border communities and deepen regional cooperation against terrorism and organised crime.
Dare said Nigeria’s focus on the Northeast and Northwest corridors, including the coordinated deployment of security agencies, should not be interpreted as evidence that the borders are closed.
“It reflects responsible border security,” he said.
The Presidential aide maintained that Nigeria’s borders must remain open to legitimate commerce and movement while being secured against terrorists and criminals through technology, intelligence and regional cooperation.
He urged Atiku to present a coherent alternative policy agenda rather than focusing on reversing, reopening or renaming initiatives already being implemented by the Tinubu administration.
