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ECOWAS President condemns Nigeria- Benin border decay, demands urgent reforms - PUNCH
BY Gift Habib
The President of the Economic Community of West African States Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, on Wednesday, delivered a critique of underperforming border infrastructure during a high-level visit to the Nigeria-Benin Republic Border Post, calling for urgent reforms to safeguard the region’s free movement agenda.
“This is one of the busiest and most strategic border posts in West Africa,” Touray said, addressing Nigerian and Beninese officials.
“And yet, we are faced with expensive facilities; scanners, lighting systems, and bridges that are simply not working. That is unacceptable,” he lamented.
Touray, whose last visit to the border was over 16 years ago, said he was alarmed to find that core ECOWAS infrastructure was neglected despite heavy investment.
“We cannot justify millions spent on equipment that lies idle. Our citizens expect results—not excuses,” he said.
The ECOWAS leader emphasised that while the regional body is responsible for initiating infrastructure, the onus of maintenance lies with individual member states.
“If a lightbulb goes out, ECOWAS should not be called to replace it.
“Member states must step up and take ownership,” he said pointedly.
The commission’s president also criticised the proliferation of checkpoints within member countries, arguing that it contradicts the spirit of free movement enshrined in ECOWAS protocols.
“Why do we have multiple customs and immigration posts for the same corridor?”
“It frustrates travellers, delays trade, and creates opportunities for corruption,” he asked.
Calling for transparency, he urged officials to crack down on unofficial payments.
“We have received troubling reports of citizens being asked to pay without receipts.
“This damages trust. If any fee is legitimate, it must be receipted. Period!,” Touray noted.
The commission’s president further stressed that free movement does not mean a free-for-all.
“Our people must understand that they need valid identification to travel. Security and freedom must go hand in hand,” he said.
Despite the setbacks, Touray said he was encouraged by the joint commitment from Nigeria and Benin to improve cooperation.
“This border post has potential,” he said. “But potential alone is not enough. We must act—and act fast.”
He pledged that ECOWAS would deliver a full report with recommendations to improve operations, address infrastructure failures, and remove obstacles to seamless cross-border movement.
“If we cannot move people and goods freely, we cannot build a truly integrated region.
“And if our infrastructure fails, we fail our people. That is a failure we cannot afford,” the president.
The Nigerian Customs Controller of the Lagos-Seme Border, Ben Oramalugo, provided a stark assessment of the situation. “We have scanners installed, but they are not working.
“Since I reported here on February 12, they have remained non-functional. These scanners can detect things human eyes cannot.
“When you inspect cargo manually, you might miss drugs or dangerous goods hidden deep inside. We need your help to get these scanners working again,” Oramalugo explained.
Oramalugo listed a series of critical problems hampering operations. “There is no light in the pedestrian passage, and criminals take over the area at night,” he said.
“There is no roofing for those passing through, and we do not have water in the offices. Every morning, labourers fetch water in jerrycans just so we can function. This isn’t acceptable for such a significant facility,” the officer listed.
He added, “We do not have electricity at all in Seme. We depend entirely on Benin. And when their power goes out, we’re left in total darkness. This is Nigeria’s number one border, connecting the entire Francophone region, yet we are not connected to the national grid.”
The customs controller also raised concern about economic policy and the impact of double taxation.
“Goods coming from Benin that should be in transit are taxed there and then taxed again in Nigeria. This discourages trade. Importers are avoiding this corridor. We need both countries to follow internationally recognized transit rules,” the customer officer stated.
A major theme during the visit was the language barrier between officers. “I cannot even communicate with my Beninese counterpart.
“We need a policy across ECOWAS that makes learning both English and French compulsory from primary school through university. If you do not pass French at one level, you should not be allowed to move to the next. This is how we prepare future officers for cross-border cooperation,” Oramalugo said.
He added, “The scanners do not work, and we spend a lot of time checking goods manually. It is a security risk. The pedestrian crossing is dark at night, and people are afraid to use it. The roofs are broken. We are even forced to beg for water to clean our offices.”
Oramalugo also called on ECOWAS to reduce the number of checkpoints on the international corridor.
“From here to Badagry, I have ensured there are only three customs checkpoints. But there are still too many from other agencies. I appeal to you—let us enforce a maximum of three checkpoints total. This road tells the story of Nigeria. What people see here reflects on all of us,” the customs officer stated.
At the Nigerian side of the border, customs officials detailed the challenges they face, from failing infrastructure to outdated equipment.
