Northern Traders Lose 13 Billion Naira Due to Niger Coup Border Closure
By Kasim Isa Muhammad
Kanempress
13th August 2023
The Arewa Economic Forum (AED) reported a weekly financial loss of 13 billion naira due to the closure of the Nigerian border with Niger.
In a recent press conference in Abuja, the forum expressed concern about over 2000 trucks of perishable goods stranded by the closure following the coup in the Niger Republic.
Ibrahim Shehu Dandakata, the forum’s chairman, discussed the decisions made and their economic impact.
In 2022, formal trade between the countries amounted to $234 million (N171 billion), with informal trade estimated at around $683 million (N515 billion), primarily involving 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 the Benin Republic and the Niger Republic,” he noted.
