Abuja: The President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, has called for the deployment of modern technology and stronger regional cooperation to fortify Nigeria’s borders against rising security threats. Akpabio made the call at the opening of the 15th National Security Seminar organised by the Alumni Association of the National Defence College (AANDEC).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Akpabio was represented by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, Sen. Ahmed Lawan, who emphasized that effective border management is essential for national security and stability. Nigeria’s extensive land and maritime boundaries present challenges such as illegal migration, arms trafficking, smuggling, and the infiltration of criminal and extremist elements.
Akpabio highlighted the importance of prioritizing the strengthening of Nigeria’s border security architecture through improved surveillance, enhanced infrastructure, better inter-agency coordination, technological innovation, and stronger regional cooperation. He noted that many of the security threats confronting Nigeria have transnational dimensions, making coordinated responses essential.
The Senate President stressed that porous and poorly managed borders could become vulnerabilities that undermine national security efforts and stability. He reaffirmed the commitment of the National Assembly to support the Armed Forces and other security agencies through appropriate legislation, oversight, and adequate funding, stating that peace and security are prerequisites for meaningful development.
He commended AANDEC for choosing the seminar’s theme, “Strengthening Nigeria’s Border Security Architecture for National Stability,” as it is timely and relevant to the country’s security realities. Akpabio called for a comprehensive approach to tackling insecurity, involving government institutions, security agencies, civil society organizations, the private sector, traditional institutions, the media, and academia.
Earlier, the Acting President of AANDEC, retired Commodore Amatare Kpou, noted that the seminar is a regular feature in the association’s annual calendar and a key component of the National Defence College course curriculum. He described the theme as timely and significant, emphasizing the critical role of border security in addressing evolving transnational threats and cross-border crimes.
Kpou stated that the seminar aims to examine the current state of border security in Nigeria, emerging challenges, policy options, and modern approaches to border management. The forum has gathered experts from the military, security agencies, diplomatic community, academia, and relevant government institutions to provide diverse perspectives on the subject.
He expressed confidence that the discussions would yield valuable recommendations for policymakers and contribute to Nigeria’s quest for enhanced national security.