The Minister of Interior insists the country’s land borders are already open, contradicting the ADC presidential candidate’s campaign promise.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has dismissed claims by former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, that Nigeria’s land borders remain closed . Tunji-Ojo stated that the borders are already open and therefore cannot be “reopened” .
In a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, Tunji-Ojo, who supervises the Nigeria Immigration Service, said it was necessary to correct what he described as a “wrong impression” about the country’s border status . He noted that several land borders had been reopened over the past few years under successive administrations .
According to the minister, the Seme, Illela, Maigatari and Mfum borders were reopened on December 16, 2020, while Idiroko and Ikom followed on April 20, 2022 . He added that the Kamba and Tsamiya border posts in Kebbi State, linking Nigeria with Niger and Benin Republics, were reopened under the current administration in February 2026 .
CDA News Nigeria gathered that Tunji-Ojo also faulted Atiku’s reference to borders with Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin. He explained that the prolonged closures on the Cameroon border at Banki and Amchidé date back to 2014, when Boko Haram forced their closure for security reasons, and were reopened in 2019 .
The minister acknowledged that some northern border crossings still have tighter restrictions due to ongoing security threats, describing these as deliberate security measures rather than neglect .
All rights reserved ©2026 CDA News Nigeria. Contact: info@cdanews.ng | www.cdanews.ng | +2348030980314 | 348 Ikwerre Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
