By Muhammadu Sabiu
According to the Arewa Economic Forum (AED), the weekly financial loss brought on by the closing of the Nigerian border with Niger is 13 billion naira.
In a press conference on Sunday in Abuja, the forum bemoaned the over 2000 trucks of perishable commodities that Northern Nigerian merchants have stranded as a result of the closure that followed the coup in the Niger Republic.
Ibrahim Shehu Dandakata, the forum’s chairman, spoke to journalists about the decisions that have been made thus far and their economic ramifications.
According to 2022 statistics, formal trade between the two countries accounts for $234 million (N171 billion), while informal trade is roughly estimated to be at $683 million (N515 billion), mostly in perishable commodities.
“With the closure of the border, the average weekly loss is about N13bn in value of trade.” Mr. Dandakata also noted that: “The Nigerien population is about 25m. About 70% of the people live in towns with proximity to Nigeria.
“Nigeriens depend on Nigeria for most of the essential commodities they consume. Nigerian businesses also rely on transit points for importation from Niger Republic.”
In light of the humanitarian crisis it would bring about for both Nigeria and the Niger Republic, he asked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other subregional leaders to refrain from using the military option.
The AEF chairman also suggested that all ECOWAS sanctions be directed at the conspirators of the coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum of the Niger Republic and said that the penalties shouldn’t be used to harm law-abiding Nigeriens.
He specifically urged President Tinubu to act quickly to address the restricted borders, which are endangering the livelihoods of many northerners.
“Since the closure is on major borders between Niger and Nigeria i.e Jibia in Katsina, Illela in Sokoto and Maigatari in Jigawa, we strongly recommend the immediate reopening of Maje/Illo border station in Kebbi state which Nigerian traders use to access Benin Republic and Niger Republic,” he noted.
