By James Isaac, Abuja
The National Boundary Commission (NBC) has called for stronger collaboration among the federal, state and local governments, traditional institutions, security agencies, and border communities to enhance border security, promote peaceful boundary management, and accelerate sustainable development across Nigeria’s border regions.
The call was made on Tuesday during a two-day stakeholders’ workshop on border governance and boundary management held at the National Assembly in Abuja. The workshop brought together key stakeholders to develop strategies for improving border governance and addressing boundary-related challenges.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of the NBC, Surveyor Adamu Adaji, described the engagement as timely and necessary, noting that it provides a unique platform for direct interaction between the National Assembly and stakeholders directly involved in resolving boundary and border disputes across the country.
Adaji commended the Senate Committee for organising the workshop, describing the initiative as a clear demonstration of the National Assembly’s commitment to strengthening peaceful border management and improving governance in border communities.
He stressed that effective border management requires sustained cooperation among all tiers of government, security agencies, traditional rulers, relevant institutions, and host communities, adding that such collaboration is crucial to preventing boundary disputes, addressing security challenges, and promoting peaceful coexistence among neighbouring communities.
The NBC boss reaffirmed the Commission’s statutory responsibility to identify, define, and demarcate Nigeria’s internal and international boundaries, while facilitating dialogue, mediation, and the peaceful resolution of boundary disputes in the interest of national unity and stability.
He noted that the Commission has consistently partnered with state governments, local government councils, federal institutions, and other relevant agencies to prevent conflicts and strengthen mechanisms for effective boundary administration.
During the workshop, participants examined policy and legislative issues affecting border governance, explored practical solutions to existing challenges, identified policy gaps, and discussed measures to improve socio-economic development in border communities.
The Commission also highlighted the critical role of traditional institutions in conflict prevention and mediation, describing traditional rulers as custodians of culture and community values whose active involvement remains essential to sustaining peace in border areas.
Participants were encouraged to actively contribute by sharing experiences and proposing practical recommendations aimed at strengthening border governance, enhancing national security, promoting regional cooperation, and expanding economic opportunities for residents of border communities.
Stakeholders expressed optimism that the workshop would generate actionable recommendations capable of strengthening Nigeria’s border management framework, preventing boundary conflicts, fostering harmonious relations among neighbouring communities, and advancing sustainable development across the country’s border regions.
