Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum is intensifying security measures along the Maiduguri–Mafa–Dikwa–Ngala highway to facilitate the movement of goods and stimulate international trade.
The move aims to secure one of the most strategic commercial arteries in the northeast, which serves as a primary link between Nigeria and Cameroon.
The governor stated that providing the necessary support to strengthen security along this route is critical to ensuring that traders and transporters can move without fear of ambush or harassment.
The Ngala axis is a vital gateway for the importation of essential commodities and the exportation of local produce. However, the route has historically suffered from volatility due to the activities of insurgent groups in the Lake Chad Basin region.
For years, insecurity on the highway has forced transporters to either avoid the route entirely or pay high premiums for security escorts, which ultimately increased the landing cost of goods for consumers in Maiduguri and surrounding areas.
The administration is now coordinating with federal security agencies to establish a more robust presence along the Maiduguri–Mafa–Dikwa–Ngala corridor to eliminate blind spots used by criminals.
Restoring the Ngala-Cameroon Trade Corridor
The economic significance of the Borno State trade corridor extends beyond local commerce. Ngala is a key border town that facilitates bilateral trade between Nigeria and the Republic of Cameroon.
When the highway is insecure, the supply chain for construction materials, processed foods, and machinery from the port of Douala is severely disrupted. This inefficiency has previously led to artificial scarcity and price inflation in Borno’s markets.
Security experts note that the stabilisation of this route is a prerequisite for the full economic recovery of the region. By reducing the risk profile of the road, the state government expects a surge in the volume of trade and a subsequent increase in internally generated revenue through border levies and market taxes.
The strategy involves not only increased patrols but also the deployment of surveillance technology and better intelligence sharing between the state government and the Nigerian Army.
This development follows a broader pattern of infrastructure reclamation in the state. The government has previously focused on reopening key roads to displaced populations and returning traders to their ancestral markets.
The restoration of the Ngala route is expected to lower the cost of logistics for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that rely on cross-border sourcing. Lower transport risks typically lead to lower freight rates, which benefits the end consumer.
The World Bank and other international partners have frequently highlighted the importance of secure corridors in conflict-affected zones to trigger private sector investment.
Local business leaders have indicated that a permanent security guarantee on the highway would encourage them to reinvest in warehouses and distribution centres along the Mafa and Dikwa axes, creating more employment for youth in those communities.
The state government is now working on a timeline to ensure that security checkpoints are strategically positioned to monitor traffic without creating bottlenecks that hinder the speed of commerce.
The next phase of the implementation involves a joint review with the Ministry of Defence to determine the long-term manning requirements for the route to prevent any security regressions.
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