The Presidency has said the recent reopening of the Kamba and Tsamiya border routes along the Nigeria–Niger frontier is aimed at restoring cross-border trade and strengthening regional cooperation.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, on Saturday, the reopening was described as “both timely and strategic,” with the President stating that “this border reopening reflects a balanced and pragmatic approach to governance that recognises the link between economic inclusion, regional diplomacy, and national security.”

The statement said, “The livelihoods of northern communities that straddle the Nigeria–Niger border have been significantly revived,” while “commercial activities, particularly the automobile, transport, and logistics business across both sides of the border, are back in full swing.”

The statement further noted that the reopening of the Kamba and Tsamiya corridors “has restored economic life to communities that depend almost entirely on cross-border movement for trade, agriculture, transportation, and small-scale commerce.”

“For many families in these border areas, this decision has translated into renewed income opportunities, reopened markets, and a return to lawful economic activities after a prolonged period of restriction,” the statement added.

It also stated that “agricultural produce is once again moving through recognised routes,” while “traders, transport unions, artisans, and logistics operators have resumed operations” across border towns and transit corridors.

On diplomatic relations, the statement indicated that the reopening “has reinforced people-to-people ties and mutual trust between Nigeria and the Republic of Niger,” noting that border communities “share deep cultural, historical, and family bonds.”

From a security standpoint, the President stated that “functional and regulated borders offer better oversight, intelligence coordination, and cooperation than prolonged closures that often push activities into informal channels.” The reopening, it added, “provides an opportunity for improved monitoring, stronger engagement with neighbouring authorities, and greater involvement of local communities in maintaining peace and security along the border corridors.”

The statement highlighted “healthy relations and collaboration between Nigeria, the Niger Republic and Republic of Benin,” adding that the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Dr Bashir Adeniyi, ensured that both countries were “fully committed to respecting international trade protocols” before the reopening.

It further stated that the Kebbi State Government, border communities and security outfits were “consulted and sensitised on the benefits, technicalities and use of new technology for monitoring border routes and the implications for trade and security.”

It was reported that the Federal Government on Monday formally reopened the Nigeria–Niger Republic border through the Kamba corridor in Kebbi State.

The reopening comes barely days after the President approved the resumption of cross-border movement along the Nigeria–Benin Republic route via the Tsamiya corridor, a move aimed at revitalising regional trade, strengthening economic ties and easing the movement of legitimate goods and services across West Africa. (The PUNCH)