Implications of Border Closure and Reopening on Food Prices, Household Food Security and Local Agricultural Livelihoods in Southwest Nigeria: Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

The closure and subsequent reopening of land borders in Southwest Nigeria have had profound effects on the accessibility, affordability, and security of basic food products. This study examines the impacts of these trade disruptions on households and local farmers, highlighting the dynamics of food prices, food security, and agricultural livelihoods during the period of restricted cross-border trade. A cross-sectional survey design was employed, using primary data collected from 140 agripreneurs engaged in agricultural production, trading, transportation, and processing. The study was conducted in the Ogun and Oyo States, which share international boundaries with the Republic of Benin and are characterised by intense cross-border agricultural trade. The study employs both quantitative and qualitative methods to capture variations in experiences. Findings reveal that border closures significantly disrupted household food security, with 85 (60.71%) respondents reporting reductions in meals or skipped meals due to food shortages, while 40 (28.57%)–26 (18.57%) respondents experienced frequent to occasional scarcity. Conversely, the reopening of borders led to mixed impacts on food prices and local agriculture. At the same time, imported products increased market supply and exerted competitive pressure on domestic farmers, compounded by high input costs and poor infrastructure. Government support during border closures was largely insufficient, with more than half of households reporting no assistance. The study underscores the need for policy interventions that balance food affordability and farmer socio-economic welfare, including improved storage and transportation infrastructure, targeted subsidies, strategic food reserves, and sustainable farming practices. Hence, the current research recommends enhanced social protection and coordinated government action to mitigate the effects of future trade disruptions and create robust border policies that will enhance farmers income and household food security in Nigeria. The results contribute to a nuanced understanding of the complex relationship between border policies, local agricultural resilience, and household food security in Nigeria.