Boundary Commission DG stresses need for negotiation in border demarcation

From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja

Director General (DG) of National Boundary Commission of Nigeria (NBC), Adamu Adaji, has stressed the need for negotiation in border demarcation in the spirit of African brotherhood and with due consideration for the interests of local communities.

Speaking at the 2026 Abidjan Border Forum in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, recently, the DG cited the Nigeria-Cameroon border dispute resolution as a successful model, which moved from tension and litigation to diplomatic roundtable, paving the way for effective cross-border co-operation between the two countries.

He said that the forum underscored that cross-border cultural exchanges, community dialogue and joint initiatives can strengthen mutual trust and reduce security challenges.

According to him, key resolutions from the forum include the need for ratification of the African Union (AU) Convention on cross-border co-operation and the institutionalisation of local cross-border co-operation to enable local authorities and border communities identify emerging threats, share information, address local tensions and support early warning and early response mechanisms.

It is note-worthy that Nigeria, through the NBC, ratified the AU Convention on cross-border co-operation in 2023. This, Adaji, said, facilitated the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Republic of Benin on local cross-border co-operation on August 18, 2025.

“The MoU provides a framework for collaboration between Nigeria’s border local government areas and Benin’s border communes, including traditional rulers and other local stakeholders.

“Both countries are now working towards the operationalisation of the MoU to move it beyond a diplomatic commitment to a functioning mechanism that delivers tangible benefits to border communities and safeguards Nigeria’s national security” NBC, said.

The DG expressed appreciation to the government and people of Côte d’Ivoire, the AU and other development partners for supporting the successful hosting of the 2026 Abidjan Border Forum.