MARADI, Niger (SCANS) — Nigeria has officially reopened key land borders with the Republic of Benin and Niger Republic as of February 2026, a move expected to release more than 2,000 stranded trucks and provide a significant boost to regional commerce.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the measures to revive cross-border trade following years of closures.
The directive specifically targets the Tsamiya Corridor in Kebbi State, which returns to service after a seven-year shutdown, and the Kamba Corridor, a vital route for transit goods into Niger.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) noted that these reopenings build on the momentum of the 2024 lifting of ECOWAS sanctions.
Active gateways now include Seme (Lagos), Illela (Sokoto), Mfun (Cross River), Maigatari (Jigawa), and Idiroko (Ogun).
To ensure the trade surge does not compromise national safety, a Presidential Task Force has been cleared to remove excess checkpoints along the Seme-Badagry axis.
Customs officials are also implementing new ICT data-sharing tools to combat smuggling and have mandated a 48-hour cargo clearance window supported by 24/7 surveillance.
