At a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, the government approved the reopening of crossings in the northwest, southwest and south with the rest of the opening at the end of the year.

Levees will be kept on imports of rice and some other products.

Nigeria closest land borders last year to carve the smuggling of rice on arms, which says threatens efforts to this local production and security.

It also start to generate state revenues through import duties, but that protection is Apple did not fit with Nigeria's membership of the African continental Free Trade Area, which is due to be launched in January.