The National Assembly criticized Nigeria’s border closure policy for failing to curb banditry and smuggling.
During the 2025 budget defence with the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, lawmakers expressed frustration over the lingering security and economic challenges.
Senator Francis Fadaunsi said, “Border closure is hampering the country’s economic fortunes because rather than curbing smuggling, it encourages it.”
He said the exit of Niger Republic and Chad from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) with the attendant opening of their borders to Nigerians was worsening the menace of insecurity across the affected states and, by extension, compounding the Nation’s economic woes.
He noted that local rice producers only meet 3 million tonnes of the 7 million tonnes needed, leaving a gap filled by smuggling.
Hon. Fatima Talba from Yobe State echoed the chairman’s position. “We must stop deceiving ourselves about border closure. Going by the free movement of people and even criminals across the borders, it is time for us to stop fooling ourselves,” she said.
Hon. Paul Kalejaiye from Lagos questioned the policy’s consistency., and asked, “Does the closure apply to all borders, or is it selectively enforced?”
The joint committee, headed by Senator Suleiman Sadiq Umar, urged Minister Dr Jumoke Oduwole to discuss solutions with the president.
Dr Oduwole presented the 2025 budget, including ₦3.8 billion for capital expenditure, ₦4.65 billion for personnel costs, and ₦1.45 billion for overhead, with a projected revenue of ₦24 billion.
Lawmakers found errors in the documents. They observed that a project with a budget of ₦50 million was awarded ₦59 million, causing a ₦9 million discrepancy.
While defending the budget, Dr Oduwole said inconsistency was a “typographical error.” The committee instructed her to scrutinize her budget before presenting it to the hallowed parliament.
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