By Ere-ebi Agedah Imisi
The National Boundary Commission, NBC is intensifying efforts to build resilience in Nigeria’s border communities through strategic cross-border cooperation, aimed at boosting national security and economic development.
This was contained in a statement by the Director-General of the Commission, Mr. Adamu Adaji, during the 2025 African Border Day celebration held Monday in Abuja. The event, themed “Building Border Community Resilience and Economic Development through Cross-Border Cooperation,” drew participants from across the country and regional stakeholders.
Adaji emphasized that Nigeria’s prosperity is deeply linked with the stability and development of its border communities, noting that the country has long maintained healthy relationships with neighbouring nations as a key national security strategy.
“The NBC is committed to redefining Nigeria’s territorial boundaries and transforming border governance. We’re not just demarcating lines; we are building bridges of cooperation, Good fences make good neighbours, and our cross-border efforts must include the very communities that live at these boundaries.” Adaji said.
According to the NBC boss, the Commission has led several trans-border cooperation workshops, fostering mutual trust and promoting the equitable use of shared resources. He stressed that border communities, traditional institutions, and local authorities are essential partners in ensuring social cohesion and safeguarding territorial integrity.
African Border Day, celebrated annually by AU member states, highlights the critical role of well-managed borders in promoting peace, regional integration, and sustainable development. Adaji also linked this year’s celebration with the African Union’s broader 2025 theme: “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations.”
In separate remarks, Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State and Chairman of Nigeria’s Coastal Border Platform, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, called for the creation of special intervention funds for border development and advocated for a dedicated marine corps to enhance intelligence and security along Nigeria’s coastal lines.
Sokoto State Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria-Niger International Border Platform, Mr. Idris Gobir, urged the federal government to construct perimeter border fences to limit the influx of criminal elements, warning that without stronger security infrastructure, cross-border cooperation may fall short of its full potential.
The event brought together critical stakeholders, including representatives of security agencies, underscoring a shared commitment to securing Nigeria’s borders while fostering sustainable development for its frontier communities.
