The President of the Badagry Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BACCIMA) and National Vice President of NACCIMA, Alhaji Yahaya Oladiran Idris, has reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to promoting seamless trans-border trade and economic integration along the Lagos–Abidjan corridor.
Speaking at the 2nd Annual Ports and Trans-Border International Trade Discourse held on Friday, December 12, 2025, at Sycomore Hotel, Badagry, Idris described the Seme border as the most strategic land border in West Africa and a critical driver of regional commerce.
Welcoming royal fathers, government officials, scholars, business leaders, security agencies, media representatives and participants, the BACCIMA president said the Chamber remains the leading voice of business in the Badagry axis, covering four local governments and six local council development areas, from Seme to Ajeromi/Ifelodun–Apapa and beyond.
Idris announced that one of BACCIMA’s long-standing advocacy efforts—easier movement of citizens, traders and travellers across the Seme border—has begun to yield results. According to him, the Federal Government, through the Nigeria Immigration Service, recently unveiled a biometric identification card system for land border operations, a development he personally witnessed alongside the BACCIMA Director-General, Engr. Seton Senu.
He explained that the initiative would significantly reduce delays and, in the near future, eliminate the need for passport stamping at land borders, thereby improving the ease of doing business and facilitating legitimate travel.
The BACCIMA president also disclosed ongoing engagements with border security agencies to formalise informal cross-border trade, with special focus on empowering women and youths along the corridor. He noted that such measures would not only make business transactions more seamless but also enhance revenue generation for the Federal Government through improved customs processes.
Idris further highlighted the Chamber’s advocacy for the removal of unapproved checkpoints along the corridor, describing them as major bottlenecks to trade efficiency and regional competitiveness.
Emphasising the broader significance of the discourse, he said the Ports and Trans-Border International Trade Discourse was designed to provide a platform for stakeholders from different regions and disciplines to collectively address shared political, economic, social and cultural challenges that transcend national boundaries.
“The issues we face today rarely stop at artificial borders. This seminar and capacity-building forum offers us the opportunity to exchange ideas, share knowledge and develop innovative frameworks for cooperation in areas such as regional trade, migration, digital communication, peace-building and cultural exchange,” Idris said.
He urged participants to engage openly, think boldly and contribute constructively to discussions that would foster stronger partnerships and sustainable solutions.
On behalf of BACCIMA and PortBizness, Idris expressed appreciation to all participants, particularly delegates from the Benin Republic, for their support and meaningful contributions, stressing that effective cross-border trade remains essential to regional growth and prosperity.
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