The border closure in Northern Nigeria due to the ongoing crisis in Niger Republic has led to significant economic losses, with Northern traders reporting a staggering weekly loss of around N13 billion.
Following President Bola Tinubu’s order on August 4 to close borders with Niger Republic, a directive that has now been enforced by Nigerian Customs, several key borders including Jibiya in Katsina state, Illelah in Sokoto, and Maigatari in Jigawa have been shut down.
Addressing the media at a press conference in Abuja, Ibrahim Yahaya Dandakata, the chairman of Arewa Economic Forum, expressed the growing economic hardships faced by traders as a result of the border closure.
He called on the federal government to open the maje-illo border in Kebbi state to allow traders to import goods into the country.
Dandakata highlighted the significant losses incurred due to the border closure, stating, “Since the order by the President to close all the borders with Niger Republic following the announcement of the coup, the consequences have been huge. Northern traders loss N13bn weekly.”
Trade between Niger and Nigeria typically involves informal transactions, particularly for perishable goods.
Last year alone, these transactions were estimated at approximately N177 billion, encompassing items such as livestock and food.
Dandakata emphasized the importance of maintaining the trade flow between the two countries and urged President Tinubu to consider opening the maje-illo border in Kebbi state to facilitate the movement of goods and empower customs to collect import duties.
Hamza Saleh Jibiya, a trader and forum member, added to the discussion by highlighting that since the border closure, approximately 2,000 containers laden with both perishable and non-perishable goods have been trapped and unable to be cleared.
Jibiya estimated the total value of these containers to be around N140 billion, with the average value of a container ranging from $20,000 to $70,000.
In light of these circumstances, Jibiya and others in the trading community are urging the federal government to prioritize reopening the maje-illo border in Kebbi state, allowing them to continue their businesses and alleviate the economic strain caused by the ongoing border closure.