- New Vision: Borders as instruments of cooperation and economic integration.
- Key Focus: Building community resilience and economic development through cross-border initiatives.
- Challenges Addressed: Disputes, security issues, and the need for special intervention funds.
- Call to Action: Collaboration among stakeholders for peace, prosperity, and development.
Nigeria’s Border Transformation: A New Era of Cooperation
The Federal Government is serious about transforming Nigeria’s international boundaries from zones of division into corridors of cooperation and economic integration. This commitment was the highlight of the 2025 African Border Day celebration in Abuja.
The Director-General of the National Boundary Commission (NBC), Adamu Adaji, emphasized that borders should be seen as strategic instruments for peace, security, and regional development. He pointed out that while colonial history left Africa with arbitrary lines, modern governance must repurpose these boundaries for shared growth and unity.
“Borders are where sovereignty ends, but cooperation begins,” Adaji stated. “Our goal is to turn these frontiers into points of synergy both economically and socially between Nigeria and her neighbours.”
Nigeria’s Border Challenges and Solutions
Adaji provided a detailed overview of Nigeria’s border situations with neighboring countries, addressing both progress and ongoing challenges:
- Nigeria-Benin Border: Complex, spanning six states and 10 local councils, with persistent issues in Kebbi, Kwara, Niger, and Ogun states.
- Nigeria-Niger Border: Mostly demarcated, but disputes remain over water boundaries and border-straddling communities.
- Nigeria-Chad Border: Boundary work stalled by ongoing insurgency, primarily affecting the Lake Chad region.
Ensuring Equity in Oil Benefits
Adaji also highlighted the Federal Government’s directive to the NBC to identify coastal and littoral host communities under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). This is crucial for ensuring fair distribution of oil benefits, especially in shallow and deep-water areas.
African Border Day: A Call for Awareness
African Border Day, established by the African Union in 2010, is observed annually on June 7. It aims to raise awareness about the strategic role of borders in regional cooperation and socioeconomic development. Nigeria has ratified the AU’s Niamey Convention on Cross-Border Cooperation, reinforcing its commitment.
This year’s theme aligns with the AU’s focus on “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations,” underscoring the need to uplift frontier communities through structural transformation.
Stakeholders Unite to Transform Borders into Bridges
Adaji urged all stakeholders—traditional rulers, local leaders, security agencies, and international partners—to collaborate more effectively. The goal is to transform borders into bridges of opportunity and growth.
“Good fences make good neighbours,” he said, emphasizing that responsible boundary governance is about people, prosperity, and peace, not just maps and markers.
Urgent Call for Border Security Overhaul
Deputy governors from Nigeria’s coastal and international border states have called on the Federal Government to establish special intervention funds and revamp the security architecture along the nation’s borders.
Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State and Chairman of the Nigeria Coast Border Platform, expressed concern over the lack of visible commitment from the Federal Government to strengthen marine and coastal border security.
“I have not seen what the Federal Government is doing to create special funds for this platform. On our borders, we should have a dedicated Marine Safety Corps for intelligence gathering,” Ewhrudjakpo stated.
He stressed that current efforts under the marine and blue economy framework are insufficient for border communities that remain vulnerable and underdeveloped. He warned that neglecting border development could jeopardize national security and economic growth.
Insecurity: A Major Threat to Collaboration
Engr. Idris Mohammed, Deputy Governor of Sokoto State and Chairman of the Nigeria-Niger International Border Platform, emphasized that insecurity remains a fundamental obstacle to regional collaboration.
“As long as we have insecurity, we should not even talk about collaboration. Let us achieve security first,” he said.
Mohammed highlighted that Nigeria’s porous borders have become easy entry points for criminals, including bandits. He questioned why most bandits reside on the Nigerian side of the border, attributing it to poor border infrastructure and security.
“If we maintain our borders well, insecurity will be over. Just placing pillars won’t solve the problem. We need to do something more concrete and deliberate,” he urged.
He called on the National Boundary Commission (NBC) and security agencies to intensify efforts to secure Nigeria’s borders, emphasizing that this is the only way to achieve sustainable peace and development in the region.
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