The President of the Association of Freight Forwarding Practitioners of Nigeria expressed concern over the significant financial losses incurred by its members and other businessmen operating at the Nigerian borders due to the closure of the Nigerian/Niger borders by the Federal Government. The closure was a response to the recent military takeover in the Republic of Niger. Speaking at the Freight Forwarder and Importers Joint Stakeholders Forum meeting in Kano, the President highlighted the adverse impact of the border closure on trade activities and the condition of its members.

He emphasized the need for affected importers to unite as a collective voice to address the issue and appealed to the President Bola Ahmad Tinubu-led government to consider reopening the border. The closure has not only affected freight forwarding and import/export sub-sectors but has also caused delays, increased costs, and disruptions to trade activities. The northern Nigerian businessmen from the border-affected states are estimated to be losing around N13 billion weekly due to the border closure, affecting trade, farms, and market operations.

The President also called for the reopening of the Lolo Border linking Nigeria and Benin Republic to provide an alternative route for the thousands of containers trapped outside the country's borders. He highlighted the dire situation at the Lolo border, where truck drivers are reportedly enduring harsh conditions, including sleeping on bare floors and being exposed to attacks by snakes, leading to illness.

Furthermore, the President assured that a joint stakeholders' initiative would soon embark on a tour to appeal to traditional royal fathers, the National Assembly, governors, religious clerics, and other stakeholders to draw attention to the immediate reopening of the Lolo Border.

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