The Nigerien political scientist, Rahmane Idrissa’s comparative thesis remains the most accurate perspective I’ve come across that explains the role of radical ideologies in the politics of West African countries 1/5 He observes that of all the religious movements that have transformed national politics, northern Nigeria has uniquely lacked a critical mass of political elite restrained enough to resist the particularistic trend of Salafi radicalism as a source of political legitimacy 2/5

I find many arguments here very troubling especially at this time where Nigeria’s government is becoming less & less patient with constitutional processes & more & more disdainful of the democratic rights & freedoms of the people its elected to serve.
foreignpolicy.com/2021/06/07/nig… Generations of Nigerians have been neutralised by the false notion that Nigeria’s military is somehow uniquely committed to the preservation of the country’s unity. I strongly disagree that they possess the monopoly of patriotism and a love of country.

I want to go on the record on what I think this Pantami issue is symptomatic of and as I don’t have a blog, I’m doing this thread. I’m partly responding to how I think it is deeply problematic to argue that Pantami’s statements are taken out of context and because he was an opponent of Boko Haram, there is no more to see here. I’m understating things when I say, there is more than a lot to see here. I will focus on just two points, not because they are more important, but at this present time, I think they are most urgent.

1/ @afalli: THREAD 3: The informal trading patterns we see today are very much a modern response to the commercial incentives and practical constraints that shape the business environment in Nigeria. 2/ In a region with long-standing patterns of cross-border contact and exchange, when it too expensive – or risky – to trade within the framework of formal systems, businesspeople will opt time and again for informal alternatives that are readily available.

1/ @afalli: THREAD 2: I haven’t been to Illela in about 4 years. I’ll visit when I get news of the opening of the built-up market site which was planned decades ago! 2/ For more information on border markets and rich data on cross-border dynamics, please see the @SWAC_OECD report read.oecd-ilibrary.org/development/cr…

1/ @afalli: THREAD 1: Over the past 4 years I have been involved in 3 projects investigating Nigeria’s informal economy, its trade relations with its neighbours/cross-border cooperation and regional integration in West Africa. In light of ongoing debates on Nigeria’s... 2/ ...land border closure I feel compelled to draw on these research activities to share “two fundamental reasons and another” why I’m puzzled by the land border closure and think it is wrongheaded. #DOGONTURANCI thread:

FINAL THREAD: In conclusion, Nigeria’s borders are booming or at least until the border closure, were booming. This phenomenon is a powerful testament to the resilience of Nigeria’s economy and the importance of its connectedness with others in West Africa. @Nwankpa_A 2. But let’s be clear, the nature of unofficial cross-border activity, in both importing and exporting, are the result of economic drivers, practical realities and Nigeria’s increasingly disruptive trade policy regime. @TradeLawCentre

THIRD THREAD: 1. The other fundamental reason why Nigeria's border closure decision is wrongheaded is related to port competitiveness.There is fierce competition between West Africa's 7 main maritime gateways to serve the regional market and to specifically handle Nigerian trade. 2. Expansion of port concessions have deepened the involvement of the private sector in port terminals across West Africa (the duopoly of Bolloré and Maersk-Sealand dominate the West Africa coast - Tema, Pointe Noire, Abidjan, Conakry and Lagos). @MatthewTPage @tayos02

1. This leads me to the other reason or "sub-reason" related to complementarity: border markets. Nigeria’s land borders host the densest concentration of border markets in West Africa – 46 of 134 between the Atlantic Ocean on one side and Chad on the other. 2. Nigeria’s 46 cross-border markets are central hubs for local producers and consumers trading mostly in agricultural goods and also Nigerian manufactured goods, yes, goods made in Nigeria everyday are demanded and consumed across West Africa.

Over the past 4 years I have been involved in 3 extensively researched projects investigating Nigeria’s informal economy, its trade relations with its neighbours/cross-border cooperation and regional integration in West Africa. @HassanIdayat @Nwankpa_A @amasonic @ChiomaChuka In light of ongoing debates on Nigeria’s land border closure I feel compelled to draw on these research activities to share “two fundamental reasons and another” why I’m puzzled by the land border closure and think it is wrongheaded. #DOGONTURANCI thread: