Nigeria and seven other West African countries have strengthened border cooperation and governance at the Third Meeting of Heads of National Boundary Commissions held in Banjul, Gambia. The meeting, which took place from October 6 to 8, 2026, brought together boundary commissions from Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sierra Leone. The ECOWAS Commission and partners, including the German Development Agency, GIZ, also attended.
The Director-General of the National Boundary Commission (NBC) Surv. Adamu Audu Adaji represented Nigeria at the meeting. According to a statement signed by the Head, Information, Press and Public Relations (NBC) Chinwe Udouwem, the annual consultation mechanism was established by ECOWAS in 2024. The meeting reviewed the implementation of recommendations from the second meeting held in Cotonou, Benin, in August 2025.
The meeting focused on accelerating boundary delimitation, demarcation, and reaffirmation through stronger political commitment, improved technical collaboration, and sustained dialogue between neighboring states. Participants stressed the need for involvement of national governments, boundary commissions, local authorities, and technical teams in resolving challenges impeding boundary operations.
The meeting also underscored the link between effective border governance, national security, and community development. Participants noted that cooperation is essential to address security threats, prevent crises, and preserve social, cultural, and economic ties among border communities. They called for greater involvement of local authorities and border communities in consultation and decision-making.
Participants identified the use of compatible equipment, engagement of experienced resource persons, and maintenance of open communication channels as crucial to overcoming operational difficulties and promoting peaceful resolution of disputes. They also emphasized integrating security, local development, trade, and free movement into border governance strategies.
A major outcome of the meeting was the identification of five bilateral partnerships for coordinated activities: The Gambia-Senegal, Benin-Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire-Liberia, and Liberia-Sierra Leone. Proposed areas of cooperation include land and maritime boundary operations, cross-border initiatives, security, economic development, and regional integration.
The meeting proposed the establishment of a cross-border cooperation fund and joint funding requests by neighboring countries for further examination, subject to financial regulations. The strengthened border cooperation and governance among Nigeria and seven other West African countries aims to promote peaceful coexistence and regional integration.
Key points
- Strengthened border cooperation and governance among Nigeria and seven other West African countries.
- The meeting focused on accelerating boundary delimitation, demarcation, and reaffirmation.
- Participants emphasized integrating security, local development, trade, and free movement into border governance strategies.
