FG Reopens Tsamiya Border Corridor to Boost Legitimate Trade, Strengthen Border Governance
The Federal Government has approved the reopening of the Tsamiya Border Corridor as part of renewed efforts to enhance legitimate trade, reinforce border governance, and strengthen national security along Nigeria’s northwest frontier.
This development was disclosed at a high-level stakeholders’ engagement convened by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Saturday, 7 February 2026, at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.
The meeting brought together security agencies, traditional rulers, economic operators, and international customs representatives to deliberate on practical strategies for securing Nigeria’s borders while facilitating lawful transit trade.
The engagement underscored the Federal Government’s resolve to balance security imperatives with trade facilitation, particularly along key land routes and the River Niger corridor linking Nigeria to neighbouring countries. Officials noted that the reopening of the Tsamiya Corridor is central to improving regulated cross-border commerce and curbing illicit activities.
Speaking at the event, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, stressed the need for robust inter-agency and cross-border collaboration in tackling emerging security and transit trade challenges.
He observed that criminal networks thrive on coordination and shared resources, making joint operations among security agencies essential.
“Criminal elements operate through cooperation, shared resources, and organised networks. It is therefore imperative for security agencies to work together in a coordinated manner to effectively counter such threats,” Adeniyi said.
The CGC disclosed that the Service is engaging customs administrations in the Niger Republic and the Republic of Benin, with strong political backing from President Bola Tinubu and President Patrice Talon, to address long-standing transit trade concerns through Customs-to-Customs cooperation.
He noted that diversion of goods in transit remains a cross-border challenge, not unique to Nigeria, and requires clear operational guidelines, coordinated enforcement, and strict compliance to ensure goods reach their final destinations.
Under the reopened Tsamiya Corridor, Adeniyi explained, transit operations will be subjected to enhanced monitoring through improved ICT interconnectivity, strengthened profiling of licensed customs agents, and close surveillance of goods in transit.
He warned that any truck found deviating from approved routes would be seized, while offenders would be prosecuted in accordance with extant transit regulations, citing recent prosecutions as evidence of the Service’s zero-tolerance stance.
The Comptroller-General also commended the Kebbi State Government for fostering a coordinated security framework and acknowledged the contributions of retired senior customs officers from the state to the growth of the Service and national security architecture.
In his remarks, Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies through the provision of logistics, infrastructure, and sustained community engagement in border areas.
“The Kebbi State Government remains committed to prioritising security and creating an enabling environment for security agencies to operate effectively, while ensuring that border communities benefit from sustained development,” the Governor said.
The stakeholders’ engagement was attended by the Immediate Past Governor of Kebbi State and Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu; former Governor Usman Dakingari; customs officials from the Republic of Benin; representatives of the Office of the National Security Adviser; heads of security agencies; traditional rulers; and key economic operators.
Participants expressed confidence that the renewed collaboration would enhance border security, deepen regional trade, and position Kebbi State as a strategic hub for lawful economic activities in the northwest corridor.
