Untold Impacts of Nigeria’s Land Borders Closure Policy on Border Communities, Economy, and Security in West African Sub-Region

Abstract

In recent time, the Nigerian government shut its land borders with neighbouring states of: Benin Republic, Cameroon, Chad and Niger over what were observed to be; increase in smuggling activities, alleged security breaches, trafficking, incidence of illegal cross-border activities, undocumented migration, among others in the West African sub-region. However, the continual closure of these borders appeared to have affected the activities of border communities, regional and national economies. The study examines the reasons for shutting the borders; finds out the impacts of the closure on border communities, regional/national economies and security; finds out the reactions of border communities and neighbouring states; and interrogates the remedies to the problem. The study adopts a hegemonic stability theory to explain the phenomenon surrounding the closure while it employs quantitative and qualitative research methods. The paper in its findings therefore indicates that the state closed her land borders to forestall all illegal actions at borders involving: smuggling and human trafficking, illicit arms trade, undocumented migration among others. The study also reveals that the closure led to economic hardship for people in border communities, West African sub-region and the Nigerian state at large. The study therefore recommends that; there should be cross-fertilization of ideas on transnational economic, legal and security initiatives between the Nigeria and her neighbouring states to wage war against illicit activities at borders. The study however concludes that the border closure poses a major blow to pan-African moment having cut short all trade relations with other states; hoping that the policy would be very significant in protecting Nigeria’s political, economic and security interests.

A Review on Economic Implications of Nigeria’s Border Closure on Rice Importation

“…Consumers, businesses, and dealers in Nigeria and adjacent countries felt the effects. The closure reduced legitimate cross-border trade due to restrictions on goods transportation, and the aforementioned conditions had a negative impact on businesses and employment, particularly in border regions where a large portion of the local economy was dependent on cross-border trade (Abbas et al, 2018;Odebode & Aras, 2019;Abiodun, 2021). Limitations on products and services harmed supply networks, affecting industries and businesses that relied heavily on imported raw materials and inputs.…”

“…The closure of Nigeria's borders has caused diplomatic problems with its neighbors due to disruptions in established trade patterns and the resultant economic impact on these countries. To strike a healthy balance between the need for independence and market stability while retaining strong trade alliances, careful consideration and teamwork are required (Olukunle et al, 2020;Abiodun, 2021;Uwak & Ebong, 2023).…”

“…Nigeria's customs revenue grew as a result of a decrease in smuggling activities, providing the government with an opportunity to collect more import taxes and levies. However, the suspension of operations had negative impact on enterprises and job opportunities in border regions as a result of a decrease in income from lawful international commerce (Omale et al, 2020;Nwozor & Oshewolo, 2020;Abiodun, 2021;Idoniboye-Obu, 2022).…”

Nigeria’s Foreign Policy, Regional Obligations and Constant Order Closures

“…Indeed, In an ADBP study on African Regional Integration Index (ARII) based on trade, productivity, macro-economic and infrastructural integrations, South Africa came top with 0.625, 34.36% higher than Senegal ( 404 (Ani, et al, 2020;Okorie and Enwere, 2020). The Nigeria government stated that the objectives were to stop trading of all goods, except oil; to tackle smuggling activities, including sophisticated arms and weapons that are used by Boko Haram and other terrorists; illegal crossing of border by undocumented immigrants, abuse of international trade and others (Okorie and Enwere, 2020;Abiodun, 2021). Prior to the border closure, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had prohibited some items from importation by denying them access to forex (Ani, et al, 2020), this could be seen to be within the ECOWAS SPM framework, which should be invoked to neutralise unfair trade practices.…”

“…For example, it led to inflation, the trade subdivision of the economy contracted, smuggling of goods persisted, unemployment increased, criminal activities spikedup, local manufacturing companies lost over N1.29 trillion and trucks with goods and raw materials got rotted away at the border regions. Furthermore, it infringed on the fundamental rights of genuine business people, undermined Nigeria's leadership in West Africa/Africa and the spirit and letters of the AfCFTA; Ghana even retaliated by punishing Nigerians doing business in Ghana (Ani, Baajon, & Samuila 2020;Aniukwu, 2020;Essessinou, Degla & Hounsa, 2020;Okorie, &Enwere, 2020 andAbiodun, 2021). For scholars like Aniukwu (2020) Africa being the centre-piece of Nigeria's foreign, entails that Nigeria's international interactions will be viewed through the binocular of her interaction within Africa and among African states and that border closure does not gelled with that binocular.…”