Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has promised to reopen Nigeria’s borders with neighbouring countries if elected president in the 2027 general election.

The former vice president made the pledge on Friday while addressing supporters in a video circulating online.

Atiku said the closure of the borders had severely affected legitimate cross-border businesses, leaving many young traders in northern Nigeria jobless and bankrupt.

He said restoring commercial activities across the borders would help revive businesses, create employment opportunities and address some of the economic challenges confronting the region.

According to Atiku, the loss of livelihoods occasioned by the border restrictions has also contributed to the worsening security situation in northern Nigeria.

He said northern Nigeria shares borders with Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin Republic, creating significant opportunities for cross-border trade.

“The northern states border Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Benin Republic and the rest. They closed all the borders.

“All our young men who are engaged in trading between these countries — what we call trans-border trading — are involved in a legitimate business.

“All the young men and women with capital of over one million naira, recruiting two to three others, have gone bankrupt and become unemployed.

“How can there be security? I am going to reopen all the borders,” Atiku said.

The ADC candidate said his proposed policy would seek to restore legitimate trade and economic opportunities for young Nigerians living in border communities.

The pledge forms part of Atiku’s campaign positioning ahead of the 2027 presidential election, as political parties intensify their mobilisation and policy engagements across the country.