‘Nigerians expect development’: Presidency faults Atiku’s ‘open borders’ promise

The Presidency has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s promise to “open the borders” if elected president in the 2027 general election.

The Presidency noted that Nigeria’s land borders are already open, warning that relaxing security controls without proper safeguards could expose the country to criminal activities.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, said this in a statement issued on Friday, August 28, 2026.

Dare said the federal government had reopened most of the nation’s land borders on March 14, 2024, and had not reversed the decision.

Dare questioned the meaning of Atiku’s pledge, asking which borders the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate intended to open when they were already operational.

The presidential aide also cited the reopening of the Kamba border in Kebbi State by President Bola Tinubu on February 14, 2026, as part of the government’s efforts to promote trade and strengthen diplomatic ties.

Dare said if Atiku’s proposal was about easing existing border controls, he should explain the specific measures he intended to remove and outline safeguards against terrorism, arms trafficking, smuggling, human trafficking and other transnational crimes.

“An open border is not an uncontrolled border,” Dare said, stressing that modern border management involves balancing legitimate movement and trade with national security requirements.

He noted that effective border governance requires immigration control, customs administration, intelligence sharing, surveillance technology and coordinated security operations, particularly given Nigeria’s location within the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin regions.

Dare referenced global security concerns around border areas, noting that terrorist and criminal networks often exploit poorly managed border corridors to expand their operations.

Dare stated that Nigeria’s focus on securing its northern corridors through coordinated military and security operations should not be interpreted as a closure of borders but as part of responsible border management.

The presidential spokesman added that Atiku, having previously served as vice president, should understand the distinction between open borders that facilitate economic activities and uncontrolled borders that create opportunities for criminal networks.

2027: Atiku promises to reopen Nigeria’s land borders

While acknowledging that political debate was necessary in a democracy, Dare said policy proposals on national security and the economy must be based on facts and a clear alternative agenda.

He challenged presidential aspirants to present detailed plans on improving border surveillance, strengthening intelligence cooperation with neighbouring countries, modernising customs and immigration systems, deploying technology and protecting border communities.

Dare said: “What Nigerians should reasonably expect from a presidential aspirant is not a slogan about ‘opening borders,’ but a detailed explanation of how his administration would improve border surveillance, strengthen intelligence-sharing with neighbouring states, modernise customs and immigration operations, deploy technology, protect border communities and deepen regional cooperation against terrorism and organised crime.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration remains open to scrutiny and should be judged by measurable outcomes in security, economic recovery, border management and citizens’ welfare. But such scrutiny must be based on facts.”

Dare stressed that Nigeria’s borders should remain open to legitimate commerce and movement while being secured against terrorists and criminals.

He added that opposition leaders should focus on presenting credible alternatives rather than promising to reverse policies and initiatives already being implemented by the Tinubu administration.