Nigeria is fully open for business, Buhari tells Neighbouring Countries

Victoria Ogunrinde

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday informed West African neighbours like Ghana, Togo, Benin Republic, amongst others that Nigeria is now “fully open” for business in the Year 2021.

The President, in his 2021 New Year message said the recent reopening of the land borders will boost the fortunes of business owners in the country.

“With the recent opening of our borders, we expect that the pent-up demand of legitimate cross-border and international trade will boost the fortunes of the many small businesses and agricultural enterprises that depend on Nigeria’s trade and commerce.

“The message to our West African neighbours is that Nigeria is once again fully open for those willing to conduct business in a fair and equitable way,” Buhari said

Recalled that Nigeria had in August 2019 closed its land borders to curtail illegal importation of drugs, small arms, and agricultural products into the country from neighbouring West African nations.

However, the Federal Government on December 16 ordered the immediate reopening of four land borders which includes the Seme Border in Lagos State, Illela Border in Sokoto State, Maigatari Border in Jigawa State, and Mfun Border in Cross River State.