Atiku Pledges to Reopen Land Borders, Develop Southern Ports If Elected

Former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has promised to reopen Nigeria’s land borders and develop ports in the southern part of the country if elected president in 2027.

Atiku made the pledge on Wednesday in Abuja when a political support group visited him.

He said reopening the borders would help restore legitimate cross-border trade and revive economic activities, particularly in northern communities that share boundaries with neighbouring countries.

The former vice-president said the prolonged closure of some borders had negatively affected businesses, forcing several young entrepreneurs into bankruptcy and unemployment.

According to him, states in northern Nigeria share borders with Cameroon, Chad, Niger Republic and Benin Republic, making trans-border trade an important source of livelihood for many residents.

“How can there be security? So I said I’m going to reopen the borders,” Atiku said.

Atiku promises southern ports development

Atiku also said his administration would prioritise the development of ports in southern Nigeria to create a more balanced and efficient system for importing and transporting goods across the country.

He said he had previously engaged shipping and ship development companies in Europe on the need to develop ports in the South and South-East.

“During the last campaign, I went across Europe to discuss with shippers and ship development companies: how can we together develop south and southeastern ports, so that there is balance as far as importation of goods and transportation of goods are concerned,” he said.

Atiku specifically mentioned the development of ports in Calabar, Uyo and Port Harcourt, saying the move would reduce the cost and time required to transport goods from the southern ports to northern parts of the country.

He noted that poor road infrastructure had made the movement of goods unnecessarily difficult, citing the transportation of containers from Lagos to Yola as an example.

Atiku, who disclosed that he owns a factory in Adamawa State, said transporting a container from Lagos to Yola could take as long as two months due to poor road conditions.

He said reopening the land borders alongside improved port infrastructure would boost businesses, facilitate the movement of goods and create more economic opportunities for Nigerians.