What Benin, Niger must do to get borders reopened — FG

The Federal Government has commenced negotiations with the nation’s neighbours, especially Benin Republic and Niger, with a view to re-opening Nigeria’s borders with them.

Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, disclosed this at the 2020 Budget briefing, in Abuja, yesterday.

She said that once the neighbours demonstrated enough commitment to past deals, the borders would be re-opened, adding that Nigeria’s interest was uppermost in the border issue.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Customs Service said it has seized N1.4 billion worth of goods since the enforcement of  partial closure of the nation’s borders.

Responding to a question on the border closure,  the Minister said: “It is not forever. There will be an end to it. The government of Nigeria is currently in discussions with the governments of neighbouring countries, including Niger and Benin Republic.

“We are negotiating to make sure that the challenges that brought about closure of the borders are addressed on both sides but especially, we want our neighbours to meet the commitments we signed unto several years ago.

“Once those discussions are concluded, the borders will be opened again.”