On August 20th 2019, the Federal government ordered the closure of the Nigerian land borders. Although arguments regarding the decision over the weeks seem to suggest that it is the right thing to do but at the wrong time and in the wrong manner.

It’s no longer news that over dependency on importation has been one of  the factors that have put our Gross Domestic Production (GDP) growth on a life support. A neutral mind whose judgment is induced by a clear understanding of the Nigerian GDP growth especially in comparison with other world economies with little or nothing to call resources, would admit that Nigeria is addicted to consumption and allergic to production. and for an economy with such unhealthy syndrome, it’s good enough in all sense of goodness to applaud border closure.

Of course border closure could be considered by others as antiquated military strategy to whip citizens to become emergency patriots, however, If borders are closed with a plan to reset the economy and gain high production, taking the global market by storms could become a resultant benefit.

As a strategic effort to encourage local production and consumption, if endured and embraced by all, could pave a way out for our stagnant economy.

Sometimes a go, China closed its border for a very long time and by the time it was reopened, they had gained economic and production strength. As a developing economy, domesticating global best practices with considerations of unlikely variables will surely catalyze our growth and development.

However, I have a concern which is likely to be a shared concern with millions of other citizens and likely to fire up resistance to this policy: can we maintain a closed system free of cheating? Can we all subscribe to entering ‘THE HOT KITCHEN’ to prepare the ‘THE DESIRED MEAL? Can political office holders stop flying abroad for medical care or buying foreign cars for official uses so that our local manufacturers and assemblers wouldn’t be discouraged? Can we completely curb smuggling?

All these are questions challenging the policy.

It’s important to note also that Nigeria, as the ‘Big brother’ of the Economic community of West African States is not closing its borders to sabotage the economy of other member states or to sabotage the economy of the countries whose help it needs, it is simply strategic to encourage local production and consumption.

I call on the attention of all concerned citizens and stakeholders to be critical and rational about the policy.

Policies such as land border closure should be enacted with trust and implemented with integrity to Forster socio-economic adjustments- a necessity for growth at a time like this.
Sule Matthew – Student, Information and Media studies, Bayero University Kano. [email protected]

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