By Benson Daniel
Nigeria has called for stronger regional cooperation among governments, security agencies, border communities, researchers and development partners to address emerging challenges affecting Africa’s borderlands.
The National Boundary Commission, NBC, made the call at the 2026 African Borderlands Research Network, ABORNE, International Conference in Lagos, themed, “The Connected Borderlands, Socio-Cultural Integration, and the Centrality of Policy, Research, and Security.”
Director General of the NBC, Adamu Adaji, described borderlands as important areas of interaction, cooperation and economic opportunities, stressing that effective border governance must be based on research, evidence and practical policies.
He said closer cooperation was necessary to tackle challenges such as terrorism, arms trafficking, smuggling, irregular migration and other forms of transnational crime.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji Ojo, also urged stakeholders to treat border communities as active partners in securing Nigeria’s frontiers. He said their involvement could improve early warning systems, conflict prevention and overall border management.
The Nigerian Immigration Service also stressed the importance of technology, intelligence sharing and stronger cooperation with neighbouring countries, while noting that digital systems must be supported by trained and experienced personnel.
Stakeholders said stronger cross border collaboration would help Nigeria balance border security with legitimate movement, trade, migration and regional integration.
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