- orders Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to amend 2025 budget proposal
By Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
The joint Committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives on Industry, Trade and Investment have called on the executive to revisit the closure of borders in some parts of the country, saying it is leading to loss of revenue to the country.
According to the lawmakers, the purpose for the closure has been defeated since bandits enter the country at will from Niger and Chad, while trade in smuggled goods goes on seamlessly.
The joint committee made this position known on Friday during a 2025 budget defence session with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment led by the Minister, .Dr Jumoke Oduwole and the Minister of State, Sen. John Enoh.
The Minister had earlier briefed the committee on the budget performance of the Ministry for 2023 and 2024, wherein she highlighted efforts made to improve trade relations and volume between Nigeria and neighbouring countries, among others.
Responding to her presentation, the Chairman of Senate Committee on Industry, Sen. Francis Adenigba Fadaunsi (PDP, Osun East) noted that revenue was being lost to the continued border closure in about seven states in the northern part of the country.
He recalled that President Bola Tinubu had ordered the borders to be opened, adding that the Nigeria Customs officials may be looking “at his body language” to be sure if to follow the directive.
According to him, it is better for the borders to be thrown open and tthe exit of Niger Republic and Chad from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS ) with attendant opening of their borders to Libya and other war torn countries has worsened insecurity along border states, thereby compounding our economic woes.
He said, “Border closure is hampering economic fortunes of the country because rather than curb smuggling, it encourages it .
“For example on rice production alone , the largest percentage of 4million tonnes shortfall, is being smuggled into the country since local producers are only producing 3million tonnes out the expected consumption rate of 7million tonnes.”
“Ease of business is affected by insecurity,” he said, adding that “made in Nigeria goods are not allowed to cross the border but smugglers bring in goods at will. He, therefore, called on the ministry to take up the issue with relevant authorities so that the borders can be open for trade.
Aligning with Fadaunsi’s position, Hon Fatima Talba (APC, Nangero/ Potiskum Federal Constituency of Yobe State) a member of the House of Representatives, declared that as someone who is from the far Northern parts close to the borders in question, she can authoritatively confirm that the borders are open.
She stated, “They have never been closed for one day because bandits still come through the borders. Rice come through the borders so I want us to take a look at this border closure.
“Going by free movement of people and even criminals across the borders, it is time for us, to stop fooling ourselves with border closure.”
At the end of other contributions on the matter, the Joint Committee Chairman, Sen. Suleiman Sadiq Umar ( APC, Kwara North) urged Dr. Oduwole to liaise with the Presidency on declaring closed borders open.
Earlier, in her submission, Oduwole briefed the committee that N3.8billion has been earmarked for capital expenditure in the 2025 fiscal year; N4.65billion for personnel cost , N1.45billion for overhead and revenue projection of N2 4billion.
She also informed the lawmakers that the ministry generate N2.1 billion in 2024, and N2billion in 2023.
The ministry urged the lawmakers to increase the allocation proposed for her ministry in the budget, saying the envelope budget is limiting its activities and affecting productivity
However, the committee asked her to address errors and other discrepancies in her presentations, including where she said it was erronously written that she paid N59 billion for a N50 billion contract, instead of N49 billion. She is to meet the committee at a later date.