Despite calls for the reopening of land borders, Nigerian President Muhammad Buhari said his administration has not decided yet on the time the ban would be lifted.
The move is seen by the government as an opportunity to rekindle the agriculture sector.
President Buhari has not given any date for the reopening of the border until the situation improves.
In a statement, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said the government’s directive would save the country billions of naira on import bills.
President Buhari acknowledged the hardship of border communities following the ban on sale of fuel at stations 20 kilometres to the border, a restriction that also saw to the closure of all fuel stations in his native home, Daura.
