NBC: Stronger Border Cooperation Needed to Tackle Africa’s Security Threats

Nigeria's National Boundary Commission (NBC) is urging for greater collaboration across Africa to combat escalating security and governance issues within the continent's border regions. Adamu Adaji, the Director General of the NBC, stressed that managing these strategic zones requires more than just physical infrastructure and security. He highlighted the critical role of robust research and evidence-based policies in addressing the complex interplay of security, trade, migration, environmental concerns, and regional integration along African borders. Adaji made these remarks at the opening of the 2026 International Conference of the African Borderlands Research Network (ABORNE) in Lagos. The conference's theme, “The Connected Borderlands, Socio-Cultural Integration, and the Centrality of Policy, Research, and Security,” underscores the multifaceted nature of borderland challenges. The NBC, a key partner in the conference, participated in discussions focusing on boundary demarcation, maritime governance, and cross-border cooperation amidst a shifting security landscape. Topics included terrorism, banditry, arms trafficking, irregular migration, smuggling, and maritime insecurity. Adaji asserted that effective solutions necessitate strong coordination among all stakeholders, including governments, academic institutions, local border communities, and development partners. He urged African nations to move beyond a traditional focus on territorial control and instead govern their borders in a manner that balances national sovereignty with regional cooperation and security with mobility.

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The effective management of these borders requires not only physical infrastructure and security measures but also informed policies grounded in rigorous research and evidence-based analysis.