Abuja: The National Boundary Commission (NBC) has taken steps to develop practical strategies towards strengthening border security, promoting resilience, and cross-border cooperation. The Director-General, Mr. Adamu Adaji, stated this at a one-day high-level workshop on border security in Abuja on Monday, emphasizing the need for secure, resilient, and beneficial borders.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Adaji highlighted the challenges posed by transnational threats, irregular migration, smuggling, and the pressures of climate and economic challenges. He emphasized that borders should not only be seen as lines of separation but also as critical frontiers of cooperation, stability, and national prosperity. The NBC has established platforms across all of Nigeria’s international borders to provide structured mechanisms for sustained engagement among border communities and traditional institutions. These platforms also involve local government authorities, security agencies, and civil society organizations, working with counterparts in neighboring countries, in line with the African Union Convention on Cross Border Cooperation.
The workshop gathered key stakeholders, including state governments, security and intelligence services, and various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, whose policies impact border communities. Adaji stressed the importance of moving beyond reactive measures to embrace coordinated, forward-looking approaches integrating security, governance, and socio-economic inclusion. Properly managed borders, he stated, can become gateways for trade, cultural exchange, and regional integration, requiring a balance between vigilance and openness.
Minister of Defence, retired Gen. Christopher Musa, represented by his Special Adviser, retired Rear Adm. Olusanya Bankole, underscored the need for clearly demarcated borders and cooperation with neighboring countries. He pointed out that traditional approaches are insufficient, advocating for early warning and response mechanisms and the use of drone technology for smart border management. The minister reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening border governance and enhancing security architecture.
Rear Adm. Abdullahi Ahmed, Commandant of the National Defence College, emphasized cooperation among nations and communities, noting that border security involves building resilience within communities. Emir of Machina, Yobe State, Alhaji Bashir Bukar, representing traditional rulers, highlighted the importance of engaging with traditional institutions as vital communication channels within communities.