Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has promised to reopen Nigeria’s land borders with neighbouring countries if elected president in 2027.
Atiku argued that government policies under the current administration have placed legitimate cross-border businesses under severe pressure, with some young Nigerians allegedly pushed into financial difficulty as a result.
The former vice president’s position forms part of his broader criticism of the economic direction of the Bola Tinubu administration and his argument for a different approach to trade and economic policy.
Atiku has repeatedly presented the reopening of Nigeria’s land borders as a way of restoring legitimate commercial activity with neighbouring countries while improving economic opportunities for citizens.
He has also criticised policies that, in his view, have increased the cost of doing business and placed additional burdens on households and entrepreneurs.
The border policy has remained a politically sensitive issue in Nigeria because of the country’s security concerns, smuggling activities and the need to balance domestic production with regional trade.
Atiku’s proposed approach would therefore represent a significant shift in policy, particularly for traders operating along Nigeria’s borders with countries such as Benin, Niger and Cameroon.
The ADC candidate is expected to make economic reform and the welfare of ordinary Nigerians major components of his campaign message ahead of the 2027 presidential election.