Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, has challenged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to present a detailed border security policy; he said that Nigerians need more than a promise to “open borders”.
Dare made the challenge on Friday, 28 August 2026, in a post on X, outlining the security and economic issues he said any presidential aspirant should address when discussing Nigeria’s borders.
READ RELATED NEWS
Onanuga points to roads, loans as signs of Tinubu policy impact
Tinubu outperformed all elected presidents in first term, says APC spokesman
Atiku vows to reopen borders, cut North’s cargo delays
He said a credible proposal should explain how an administration would improve border surveillance, strengthen intelligence-sharing with neighbouring states, modernise customs and immigration operations, use technology, protect border communities and improve regional cooperation against terrorism and organised crime.
The intervention places practical border management ahead of slogans, with Dare saying Nigerians should expect clear answers on how legitimate movement and commerce can exist alongside stronger security.
Border access tied to security
Dare said Nigeria’s borders should remain open to legitimate commerce and movement while being protected against terrorists and criminals.
He said surveillance should use technology and intelligence, with border management connected to the country’s national security and economic strategy.
“Nigeria’s borders must be open to legitimate commerce and movement, but secure against terrorists and criminals. They must be monitored with technology, led by intelligence, and integrated into the country’s broader national-security and economic strategy.”
He said that was the policy conversation Nigerians deserved.
Dare also said President Tinubu’s administration should be assessed through measurable outcomes in security, economic recovery, border management and citizens’ welfare.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration remains open to scrutiny and should be judged by measurable outcomes in security, economic recovery, border management and citizens’ welfare. But such scrutiny must be based on facts.”
His comments set a standard he said presidential aspirants should meet when presenting alternatives to existing government policies.
The adviser’s list covers surveillance, intelligence, customs, immigration, technology, border communities and cooperation with neighbouring states. These areas form the substance he wants behind any proposal concerning Nigeria’s borders.
Dare’s position also connects border policy with both security and economic activity. Legitimate trade and travel, in his view, should continue without leaving the country exposed to terrorist and criminal activity.
Dare also questioned the direction of Atiku’s public outings and policy pronouncements.
He said they raise a fundamental question about what new and credible contribution the former Vice President intends to make to Nigeria’s development.
“But, increasingly, the former Vice President’s public outings and policy pronouncements raise a more fundamental question: what new and credible contribution does he intend to make to Nigeria’s development that is not already contained in the reform trajectory of the present administration?”
Dare said Atiku appeared increasingly focused on proposals to reverse, reopen or rename initiatives already being implemented by the Tinubu administration.
“Rather than presenting Nigerians with a coherent alternative, Atiku appears increasingly preoccupied with promising to reverse, reopen, or rename initiatives already being implemented.”
He tied border management to Nigeria’s economic and national-security strategy, making the subject part of the larger policy choices facing presidential aspirants.
Dare insists that Nigerians should judge the Tinubu administration through measurable outcomes while demanding a clearly explained alternative from those seeking to replace it.
For More News Details, Visit New Daily Prime.
