Aso Rock Faults ADC Flagbearer’s “Open Borders” Pledge, Demands Policy Details on Security and Controls

By Felix Umande

The Presidency has dismissed the recent pledge by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar that he would “open the borders” immediately if elected, saying Nigeria’s land borders are already open and the statement lacks policy substance.

In a statement on Thursday, the Presidency said the Federal Government announced the reopening of most of the country’s land borders on March 14, 2024, and has not reversed that position. It added that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reopened the Kamba border in Kebbi State on February 14, 2026, with attendant economic and diplomatic gains.

“It is therefore difficult to understand which borders the former Vice President intends to ‘open’ when the borders are already open,” the statement read.

The Presidency argued that if Atiku meant relaxing existing border controls, Nigerians deserve specifics on which controls would be removed, why, and what safeguards would be put in place against terrorism, arms trafficking, smuggling, human trafficking and other transnational crimes.

“An open border is not an uncontrolled border. Modern border management is designed to facilitate legitimate movement, trade and economic interaction while preventing criminals and terrorist organisations from exploiting the same channels,” it stated.

Citing the Global Terrorism Index 2026, the Presidency noted that approximately 41 per cent of terrorist attacks occur within 50 kilometres of an international border, and about 64 per cent within 100 kilometres. It said Nigeria’s focus on the Northeast and Northwest corridors, including coordinated deployment of security forces, reflects responsible border security, not closed borders.

The Presidency said what Nigerians should expect from a presidential aspirant is not a slogan, but a detailed plan on how to improve border surveillance, strengthen intelligence-sharing, modernise customs and immigration operations, deploy technology, protect border communities, and deepen regional cooperation.

It added that with Nigeria sharing borders with Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, the northern security environment cannot be divorced from developments across the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration remains open to scrutiny and should be judged by measurable outcomes in security, economic recovery, border management and citizens’ welfare. But such scrutiny must be based on facts,” the statement said.

“Nigeria’s borders must be open to legitimate commerce and movement, but secure against terrorists and criminals. They must be monitored with technology, led by intelligence, and integrated into the country’s broader national-security and economic strategy. That is the policy conversation Nigerians deserve.”

The Presidency further questioned what new contribution Atiku intends to make, alleging he appears “increasingly preoccupied with promising to reverse, reopen, or rename initiatives already being implemented.”

By Felix Umande

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum have agreed to implement immediate measures to reduce transportation costs nationwide, with a target for Nigerians to begin seeing lower fares from October 1, 2026.

The agreement was reached during a meeting between the President and Governors on Thursday, August 27, 2026, focusing on leveraging the cost benefits of Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, and electric vehicles.

“Cheaper fuel should result in cheaper fares!” the President said, noting that a vehicle running on CNG spends 60 to 80 per cent less on fuel than one running on petrol.

President Tinubu said the Governors, on their own initiative, resolved to take immediate steps to bring down the cost of transportation in their states, where citizens feel fuel costs most directly.

“I am encouraged that our Governors are moving to bring these benefits closer to the people they serve,” he stated.

To drive the process, both tiers of government agreed to set up a joint Federal and State committee to begin implementation immediately.

The President outlined ongoing Federal Government investments in the energy transition through the Presidential CNG Initiative.

According to him, over 120,000 vehicles have been converted nationwide, with more than 100,000 additional conversion kits in the works. Conversion centres and refuelling infrastructure are also being expanded.

Through the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund, the FG is currently financing more than 100 gas projects, including 15 CNG mother stations and 86 daughter stations.

In May, four of these projects were commissioned in Lagos, Abuja and Owerri, including a 15-station refuelling network in Lagos and an Abuja facility that can serve 1,000 cars and tricycles and 50 trucks and buses daily.

President Tinubu also directed the rollout of an additional 500 CNG refuelling stations nationwide. This is in addition to the 500 stations earlier ordered by the Fund, bringing the total programme to 1,000 stations across the country.

“Each tier of government must keep doing its part and work together for the benefit of every Nigerian,” the President added.

By Felix Umande

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed a comprehensive reform of Nigerian football to address repeated failures to qualify for major regional, continental and world tournaments.

The directive was contained in a Statehouse press release issued on Thursday, August 27, 2026.

The President said the reform must tackle longstanding weaknesses in governance, administration, stakeholder representation, development pathways, domestic competitions and accountability across Nigerian football.

“Football, Nigeria’s most popular sport and the greatest beneficiary of public support, investment and national attention, has continued to struggle basically due to structural deficits within the system,” Tinubu stated.

He noted that while other sports have recorded meaningful progress since the reset of the sports sector under the re-established National Sports Commission, football has lagged behind.

“Nigerian football must begin to match the country’s exceptional talent, passion and resources with stronger institutions and sustained performance,” the President said.

President Tinubu directed the Chairman of the National Sports Commission to work with the NFF Secretariat and relevant football stakeholders to ensure continuity in essential football administration and facilitate a broad, consultative reform process.

The process, he said, will include appropriate engagement with FIFA and CAF while safeguarding Nigeria’s obligations within the international football framework.

The President called on football stakeholders and Nigerians to support the transition and work together to build a stronger, more accountable and successful football system.