On February 7, 2026, Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi announced the official reopening of the Tsamiya-Segbana border corridor in Bagudo, Kebbi State. Closed since 2019, the reopening follows an urgent diplomatic push and a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to alleviate the “hardship” faced by agricultural exporters in Northern Nigeria.
The move specifically targets the revitalization of Nigeria’s massive onion industry, currently valued by the FAO at ₦1.17 trillion ($780 million).
1. A Strategic “Outlet” for Perishable Gold
The Tsamiya corridor is more than just a road; it is the primary artery for agricultural commodities moving from Nigeria’s “food basket” into the West African sub-region.
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Key Commodities: Onions, garlic, white beans, and dry pepper.
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Perishability Crisis: Before the reopening, long delays at other transit points (like the Kamba axis) led to massive post-harvest losses. Aliyu Maitasamu, President of the Regional Observatory of Onion, noted that “every hour of delay translates to losses” for farmers.
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Regional Dominance: Nigeria is Africa’s second-largest onion producer (after Egypt), producing approximately 2.1 million metric tonnes annually.
2. Removing “Non-Tariff Barriers”
CG Adeniyi assured stakeholders that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is shifting from a purely enforcement-based approach to a trade facilitation model:
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Digital Interconnectivity: Customs will deploy ICT-based systems that link directly with the customs administrations of Benin and Niger Republic. This ensures seamless cargo declarations and real-time tracking.
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Streamlined Inspections: The service aims to eliminate “operational bottlenecks” and illegal checkpoints that have historically discouraged legitimate traders.
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Security Guardrails: While facilitating trade, Adeniyi warned that strict profiling of agents and ICT-driven monitoring would be used to prevent criminal elements from exploiting the reopened route.
3. The Proposed “Token System” for Road Maintenance
A unique feature of the new border policy is a proposed Token System, discussed during the meeting with DCG Timi Bomodi.
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The Problem: The massive influx of heavy trucks (over 2,000 were reportedly stranded before the reopening) puts immense pressure on Nigeria’s road infrastructure.
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The Solution: A digital token system will use trade data to collect modest fees from transporters. These funds are earmarked for the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to sustain and repair the corridors used by exporters.
4. Impact on the 2026 Economic Agenda
“We are not just talking about imports; we are talking about exports that bring economic prosperity, create employment, and support a favorable balance of trade.” — CG Adewale Adeniyi, February 2026.
