The National Boundary Commission (NBC) has urged the government to provide more funds to complete Nigeria's international border demarcation. According to the Director-General of the commission, Adamu Adaji, Nigeria has established most of its international boundaries but requires additional resources to properly demarcate them and install more boundary pillars. This, he said, would make the borders more visible and help communities identify their respective territories more clearly.
Adaji emphasized that border demarcation is a capital-intensive project that is essential to national security, peaceful coexistence, and economic development. He encouraged Nigerians to view international boundaries as instruments for orderly relations rather than barriers to cooperation. The NBC Director-General also highlighted the importance of cross-border cooperation, citing collaborative arrangements with neighbouring countries such as Benin, Niger, and Cameroon to facilitate trade, movement, and other forms of interaction.
Nigeria has established transnational routes with its neighbours, and border communities continue to maintain strong relationships due to shared cultures, languages, and historical ties. Adaji cited the Kasikano-Kano route between Nigeria and Niger, as well as corridors connecting communities in Nigeria and Cameroon, as examples of such cooperation. The NBC has also promoted local bilateral platforms to encourage cooperation in areas such as trade, security, information gathering, and intelligence sharing.
The commission recently brought Nigerian and Beninese communities together to explore ways of strengthening cooperation along their shared boundary. Adaji said the NBC is promoting local bilateral platforms through which states and local governments can engage their counterparts across international borders. These platforms aim to support development and efforts to tackle insecurity, particularly in border communities.
Ahead of the forthcoming general elections, Adaji urged Nigerians, particularly residents of border communities, to exercise their civic rights peacefully and protect the unity of the country. He noted that communities separated by interstate or international boundaries often share deep cultural and historical connections and should not allow political differences to trigger conflict.
Adaji emphasized that boundary or no boundary should not be a hindrance to peaceful coexistence and meaningful development. He urged Nigerians to prioritize peace and unity, warning that violence and destruction would undermine development and slow the nation's economic growth. The NBC Director-General's call for increased funding and cooperation comes as the commission seeks to complete Nigeria's international border demarcation.
The National Boundary Commission's efforts to complete Nigeria's international border demarcation are crucial to promoting peaceful relations with neighbouring countries and enhancing national security. With increased funding and cooperation, the commission aims to install more boundary pillars and reduce the distance between them, making the borders more visible and helping communities identify their respective territories more clearly.
Key points
- The National Boundary Commission requires more funds to complete Nigeria's international border demarcation.
- Nigeria has established collaborative arrangements with neighbouring countries to facilitate trade, movement, and other forms of interaction.
- The commission promotes local bilateral platforms to encourage cooperation in areas such as trade, security, information gathering, and intelligence sharing.
