Dare Babalola
The Federal Government officially reopened the Nigeria-Niger Republic border via the Kamba corridor in Kebbi State on Monday.
The reopening follows closely on the heels of President Bola Tinubu’s approval to resume cross-border movement along the Nigeria-Benin Republic route via the Tsamiya corridor, aimed at revitalising regional trade, strengthening economic ties, and facilitating the movement of legitimate goods and services across West Africa.
The Kebbi Area Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mahmoud Matawalle-Ibrahim, officially opened the borders to trucks from Benin and Niger on Monday at Kamba, in the Dandi Local Government Area of the state.
He said, “The reopening of the borders in Dandi and Bagudo Local Government Areas is aimed at facilitating the transit of legitimate goods and reviving cross-border trade with the Republics of Benin and Niger, after months of closure occasioned by security concerns.
“The exercise was carried out with presidential approval to enable the smooth movement of legitimate goods from the Tsamiya border to Niger Republic through the Kamba corridor in Kebbi.”
Matawalle-Ibrahim averred that many of the stranded trucks from Benin had already been cleared at Tsamiya and were moving towards the Niger Republic’s Tunga Jado border through Kamba.
He added that the development would boost trading activities between Nigeria and its neighbours, while also strengthening joint security efforts along the border communities.
Also speaking, the Controller of the Federal Operations Unit, Zone B, Aminu Suleiman, assured stakeholders that the reopening would be accompanied by strict enforcement measures to protect national economic interests.
“The reopening of the border does not mean a relaxation of the law. Rather, it calls for greater professionalism and vigilance to ensure transparency and security in cross-border trade,” he noted.
Earlier, the District Head of Kamba, Muhammad Shiko Kamba, expressed gratitude to the federal government for reopening the border, describing the decision as timely and economically beneficial to border communities.
“This reopening is a major relief to our people. It will restore livelihoods, stimulate commerce, and bring prosperity not only to Kamba but to Kebbi State and Nigeria at large,” he said.
Representing the Kebbi State Governor, Nasiru Idris, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Barrister Attahiru Maccido, described the reopening of the Tsamiya and Kamba corridors as a historic milestone for regional trade in West Africa.
“Today feels like a Sallah celebration. The reopening of these two major border routes is a huge economic boost and a clear signal of renewed hope for our people,” Maccido said.
However, he cautioned traders and security agencies to uphold transparency and accountability.
“While this reopening will boost economic activities and create employment opportunities, especially for our youths, all stakeholders must ensure that only lawful and transparent businesses are conducted — now and in the future,” he added.
The reopening of the Nigeria–Niger border through Kamba is expected to significantly enhance trade flows, improve livelihoods in border communities and strengthen Nigeria’s economic integration within the West African sub-region.
