Prominent businessman and public affairs commentator, Mogaji Wole Arisekola, has sounded a strong warning over what he describes as the growing threat of smuggling and economic sabotage along Nigeria’s borders, questioning who truly benefits as the nation continues to lose revenue and local industries suffer.
In a widely circulated commentary obtained by Veracity Desk (veracitydesk.com), titled “Nigeria Is Bleeding at the Borders, Who Is Cashing Out?”, Arisekola recounted an unexpected experience during a recent trip from Cairo, Egypt, that exposed the scale of cross-border trade activities destined for Nigeria.
According to him, an emergency aircraft landing in Benin Republic offered a rare opportunity to observe operations at the Nigeria-Benin border. There, he reportedly witnessed hundreds of heavily loaded trailers waiting to enter Nigeria, carrying goods such as foreign rice, used clothing, frozen foods, and vehicles.
Arisekola said discussions with a senior customs officer in Cotonou revealed that many of the goods entering through neighboring countries are targeted at the Nigerian market. He commended the leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service, particularly Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for efforts aimed at tightening border controls and deploying technology to combat illicit trade.
Concerns Over Smuggling Networks
The Ibadan-born businessman argued that smuggling remains a major challenge because it creates an uneven playing field for legitimate traders who comply with import regulations and pay duties.
He questioned how manufacturers, farmers, and genuine investors can compete when imported goods allegedly enter the country through unauthorized routes without paying the required taxes and levies.
“How do you encourage local production when smuggled goods can flood the market and undercut lawful businesses?” he asked.
World Bank Findings Cited
Arisekola referenced World Bank analyses indicating that Benin Republic has become one of the world’s largest rice importers despite its relatively small population, largely due to re-export activities targeting the Nigerian market.
He noted that the phenomenon extends beyond rice to include second-hand vehicles, used clothing, and other imported products that find their way into Nigeria through regional trade corridors.
Calls for Accountability
While criticizing border violations, Arisekola stressed that responsibility should not be placed solely on neighboring countries.
He argued that smugglers, financiers, corrupt officials, document forgers, and local beneficiaries within Nigeria must also be held accountable.
“We cannot condemn economic sabotage publicly while benefiting from it privately,” he stated, urging Nigerians to demonstrate patriotism through actions rather than rhetoric.
Demand for Uniform Border Enforcement
Arisekola further called for consistent enforcement across all of Nigeria’s land borders, including crossings with Benin Republic, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon.
According to him, efforts to secure southern borders will yield limited results if northern corridors remain vulnerable to illegal activities.
He emphasized that border regulations should be applied uniformly, regardless of political influence, ethnicity, or social connections.
Policy Reforms Needed
Beyond enforcement, Arisekola urged policymakers to examine economic conditions that make smuggling attractive. He pointed to trade barriers, pricing disparities, and bureaucratic bottlenecks as factors that encourage illegal importation.
He advocated for a dual strategy of making legitimate trade easier through simplified procedures and stronger monitoring systems while ensuring that offenders face swift consequences.
A Call for Regional Cooperation
Concluding his intervention, Arisekola emphasized that Nigeria and its neighbors must maintain healthy trade relationships built on mutual respect for laws and regulations.
He maintained that honest traders should be encouraged, while smugglers and corrupt officials should face the full weight of the law.
“Our borders belong to the Nigerian people and must not become a source of private enrichment for a privileged few at the expense of national development,” he said.
The commentary has reignited discussions on border management, customs reforms, and the long-standing battle against smuggling in Africa’s largest economy.
