This archive report was first published on 17 October 2019.
On October 17, 2019, Nigeria took a drastic measure to control the movement of goods across its land borders, effectively banning imports and exports through these routes.
The country's customs agency has not provided a timeline for when the borders will be reopened, leaving many wondering about the long-term implications of this decision.
According to Hamid Ali, the comptroller general of the Nigeria Customs Service, the ban is aimed at ensuring 'total control over what comes in.' This move is seen as an effort to thwart smuggling of rice and other goods, as reported by the Voice Of America.
However, the comptroller general has stated that goods will be allowed to cross at border points equipped with special scanners, indicating that not all land border crossings will be affected.
Experts warn that this closure could have a negative impact on the economy, particularly on the prices of essential commodities like rice, tomatoes, poultry, and sugar.
Nonso Obili, a director at the Turgot Center for Economics and Policy Research in Abuja, noted that the effects of the border closure are already being felt, with price increases and inflation on the rise.
It's worth noting that this is not the first time Nigeria has closed its land borders. In August, President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the closure without notice, which had a significant impact on neighboring countries like Benin, whose economy relies heavily on exporting food to Nigeria.
Interestingly, oil exports, Nigeria's biggest revenue earner, will not be affected by the closure, as they are transported through the sea.
