ECOWAS Pushes Stronger for Actualisation of Free Movement within the Sub region

By: Michael Mike

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission is presently pushing seriously for the actualisation of the region’s free movement as it begins the tour of major border points within the sub region.

The tour commenced with the visit of the President of the Commission, Dr. Omar Touray and a strong team from the regional bloc to one of the busiest borders in the area, Seme Border (Nigeria/Benin Border)
on Wednesday.

During the visit, Touray who took time out to speak to various stakeholders as he made the trip to the border from the Lagos before having a meeting with officials at the border, criticised the poor state of border infrastructure, urging swift reforms to protect the region’s free movement objectives.

After the meeting with Nigerian and Beninese officials at the border, Touray said “this is one of the busiest and most strategic border posts in West Africa,” and we cannot watch to see it not performing optimally.

He lamented that at the border, “we are faced with expensive facilities; scanners, lighting systems, and bridges that are simply not working. That is unacceptable.”

He said he was alarmed to find that core ECOWAS infrastructure was neglected despite heavy investment.

He cried that: “We cannot justify millions spent on equipment that lies idle. Our citizens expect results—not excuses.”

He also stressed that while the regional body is responsible for initiating infrastructure, the onus of maintenance lies with individual member states.

The commission’s president also criticised the proliferation of checkpoints within member countries, arguing that it contradicts the spirit of free movement enshrined in ECOWAS protocols.

He asked that: “Why do we have multiple customs and immigration posts for the same corridor?

“It frustrates travelers, delays trade, and creates opportunities for corruption.”

While calling for transparency, he urged officials to crack down on unofficial payments.

He however correct the notion that within ECOWAS states citizens of the Community should be unquestioned, stating that free movement does not mean movement without relevant documents especially identification card and passport.

Despite the setbacks, Touray said he was encouraged by the joint commitment from Nigeria and Benin to improve cooperation.

He said: “This border post has potential. But potential alone is not enough. We must act—and act fast.”

He pledged that ECOWAS would deliver a full report with recommendations to improve operations, address infrastructure failures, and remove obstacles to seamless cross-border movement.

The Nigerian Customs Controller of the Lagos-Seme Border, Ben Oramalugo, provided a stark assessment of the situation. “We have scanners installed, but they are not working.

“Since I reported here on February 12, they have remained non-functional. These scanners can detect things human eyes cannot.

“When you inspect cargo manually, you might miss drugs or dangerous goods hidden deep inside. We need your help to get these scanners working again,” Oramalugo explained.

He added, “We do not have electricity at all in Seme. We depend entirely on Benin. And when their power goes out, we’re left in total darkness. This is Nigeria’s number one border, connecting the entire Francophone region, yet we are not connected to the national grid.”

The customs controller also raised concern about economic policy and the impact of double taxation.

“Goods coming from Benin that should be in transit are taxed there and then taxed again in Nigeria. This discourages trade. Importers are avoiding this corridor. We need both countries to follow internationally recognized transit rules,” the customer officer stated.

Oramalugo also called on ECOWAS to reduce the number of checkpoints on the international corridor.

“From here to Badagry, I have ensured there are only three customs checkpoints. But there are still too many from other agencies. I appeal to you—let us enforce a maximum of three checkpoints total. This road tells the story of Nigeria. What people see here reflects on all of us,” the customs officer stated.

The Permanent Representative of Nigeria to ECOWAS Ambassador Musa Nuhu, described the Seme border as critical to the ECOWAS free movement agenda. “This is the busiest border in West Africa, in terms of passage of goods, people, and services,” he stated. “And if free movement is working in West Africa, it is in this border that we will be able to find out.”

Nuhu noted that the challenges raised by local officials—including infrastructure decay, overlapping security checks, and operational bottlenecks—highlighted the gap between policy and implementation. “It’s good that they mentioned these issues for you to really understand practically what is happening along this very important border.”

Nuhu also revealed that the Federal Government had taken steps to independently assess and reform the corridor. “Not quite long ago, we carried out the same exercise along the border without even the officials here knowing, for us to really take note of what is going on.

“President Bola Tinubu has just approved the setting up of the Presidential Task Force to dismantle multiple checkpoints in the whole country. We are starting with the Seme-Badagry corridor. That committee has been set up under the authority of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and we will soon start working to address this issue,” he added.

Immigration officers stationed along the Seme border have called for intensified public awareness campaigns on the rights and limitations of the ECOWAS free movement protocol, citing widespread misunderstanding among travelers and transporters.

ECOWAS Pushes Stronger for Actualisation of Free Movement within the Sub region

FG Signs Financing Pact For $158m Value Chain Programme In Northern Nigeria

*We’re fulfilling President Tinubu’s promise to reduce poverty, restore farmers’ dignity, ensure food security – VP Shettima

By: Our Reporter

As part of ongoing efforts to revolutionalize the nation’s agriculture sector, the Federal Government on Wednesday signed a financing agreement for the Value Chain Programme in Northern Nigeria (VCN).

With the signing of the agreement, the implementation of the $158.15 million VCN project begins immediately to support agriculture value chain development and value addition for farmers in nine states of the northern part of the country.

The initiative is co-funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the French Development Agency (AFD), and the Government of Nigeria.

The eight-year initiative, validated on March 21, 2024, was conceived following Vice President Kashim Shettima’s request during UNFSS stocktaking in Rome on July 24, 2023, that IFAD should scale-up its portfolio in Nigeria and mobilise additional partners and donors to support the agri-food transformation and food security of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

It is expected to sustainably reduce poverty, enhance nutrition and better resilience of rural and most vulnerable populations in the nine northern states, which include Borno, Bauchi, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoko, Yobe and Zamfara.

Speaking during the signing ceremony of the financing agreement for the VCN project at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Vice President Shettima described the initiative as a product of critical thinking about the economic reality of the northern region.

According to him, it is a fulfilment of the promise made by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reduce poverty in Nigeria, restore dignity to the nation’s farmers, and ensure food security.

“It is a declaration of faith in the North—not as a region of deficits, but as a place of abundance. It also invites us to play our part in fulfilling the promise to reduce poverty, nourish our people, and restore dignity to farming families across Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Kano, Yobe, and Zamfara.

“What has brought us together today is an investment of $158.15 million, co-financed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the Federal Government of Nigeria, and other stakeholders. This reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to prioritising what matters most—people, productivity, and prosperity,” VP Shettima declared.

Recalling that the administration recently commenced foundation laying for the construction of Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs) across Nigeria, the VP said said the VCN programme will feed into the SAPZs, serving as “a steady pipeline of raw materials and ensuring our processors no longer grope for quality inputs.

“This synergy will shift us from exporting raw produce to exporting value-added goods—creating jobs, wealth, and industrial stability,” he added.

Senator Shettima observed that “the recent global trade disruptions and the resurgence of protectionism are loud warnings” to Nigeria to begin to grow what its people eat and produce what they trade.

His words: “The agricultural tariffs and retaliatory postures of global powers like the U.S. and China have rattled commodity chains. For a nation that has long relied on food imports, the message is clear: we must grow what we eat and produce what we trade.

“The VCN answers this call. By making wheat, maize, and animal feed viable for commercial cultivation, and by investing in irrigation, processing, and storage facilities in states like Kebbi and Jigawa, we are not just securing food—we are laying the groundwork for agricultural exports that can rival our oil.

“What makes this programme exceptional is that it targets the underserved: women, youth, persons with disabilities, and returnees. It recognises that peace and prosperity are twin goals—and that in communities scarred by conflict, agriculture is not just a livelihood; it is rehabilitation.”

Noting that the federal government will deploy digital tools to track every step, “from farmer registration to market access, from input distribution to yield analysis”, the VP assured that “in regions where migration and insecurity are fuelled by joblessness, the VCN provides vehicles for enterprise, income, and dignity.”

Earlier, former Senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawan who spoke on behalf of the National Assembly, commended IFAD, the federal government and other partners for the conception of the programme, describing it as a well-thought-out initiative that will transform the lives and livelihoods of many in the target states and beyond.

He pledged the commitment and support of the National Assembly in the implementation of the various interventions contained in the programme.

On his part, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari said the signing of the financing agreement represents a significant milestone in the efforts to transform the agricultural landscape in Nigeria under the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration

He noted that the participation of the nine states and the presence of other critical stakeholders underscore the commitment of the sub-nationals and the federal government in fostering inclusivity in agricultural development and economic empowerment.

The Minister expressed confidence that the VCN will deliver programmes and projects that will improve agricultural productivity and the overall well-being of small-holder farmers, farmer groups, and women across the region.

In separate remarks, the Governors of Borno, Prof. Babagana Zulum; Jigawa, Alhaji Umar Namadi, and Katsina, Alhaji Dikko Radda, applauded the leadership provided by President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima, in the implementation of the VCN programme and other schemes across northern Nigeria.

They pledged their commitment and support in the actualisation of the objectives of the various components of the programme and urged the implementors to review the design and timeline for implementation to enable states to maximize the benefits therein.

In her remarks, the Country Director of IFAD, Mrs Dede Ekoue, said the programme is a 158.15 million dollars project designed to transform agribusiness in nine northern states of Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Bauchi, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara, over a period of 8 years, targeting about 3.1 million household members.

She said interventions targeted under the programme will focus on climate smart agriculture, leveraging innovative technologies; improving post-harvest handling and value chain addition; increase access to business development services for youths and women agri-preneurs; boost access to financial services and scale up access to digital solutions for productivity, among others.

The IFAD Country Director added that expected results from the interventions include, the creation of over 30,000 jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities for youths, women and vulnerable groups and the construction of over 229km of roads across the region to enhance access to market, among others.

She applauded the commitment and vision of the President and Vice President, and emphasized the need for all stakeholders in the project to work in unison for the actualisation of set objectives and in the overall interest of the national economy.

The high point of the occasion was the signing of the agreement for the Joint Roadmap for Accelerated Start-up between the federal government and IFAD.

Also present at the meeting were some members of the National Assembly; Minister of State for Regional Development, Hon. Uba Maigari Ahmadu; the Regional Director of IFAD, Mr Bernard Mwinyel Hien; the deputy governors of Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto, Kano, Yobe and Bauchi States; heads of government agencies and representatives of development partners, among others.

FG Signs Financing Pact For $158m Value Chain Programme In Northern Nigeria
E

Zulum goes tough, Inaugurates committee to curb the menace of anti-social vices

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, on Tuesday inaugurated a committee to combat the rising cases of social vices in Maiduguri, the capital city of the state. The committee will address issues such as drug abuse, youth restiveness and all other forms of violence.

The Governor emphasised the urgency of the situation, citing alarming instances that indicate a significant increase in criminal activities linked to social instability. “The increasing cases of criminality in the state, such as thuggery, theft, and armed robbery, among others, are a matter of great concern to the public, not only in Maiduguri Metropolis but also in Borno State in general.”

“Prostitution and gangsterism are increasing daily; It is sad to note that a few days ago some were even killed behind the UMTH; in fact, it has now become the order of the day. Many places in Maiduguri are littered with hoodlums.

“In addition to this, political thuggery must be curtailed; it constitutes a lot of public disturbances. Enough now, we must take decisive action,” Zulum stated.

The committee, which comprises community leaders and law enforcement officials, including military and police, is expected to conduct extensive outreach programmes aimed at educating the public about the dangers of social vices and prosecuting those found wanting according to the law.

The Governor, however, cautioned that if allowed to continue, criminal activities can lead to insurgency, further deteriorating the fragile security situation in Borno.

Speaking on behalf of the committee members, the Chairman, Barrister Hauwa Abubakar, who is the state ‘s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice expressed gratitude to the Governor while assuring that they would work up to expectations.