Written by
Ishioma Appiah-Yeboah
The Director-General of the National Boundary Commission (NBC), Surveyor Adamu Adaji, has called for stronger collaboration among the Federal, State and Local Governments to address boundary disputes, improve border security and unlock the economic potential of Nigeria’s border communities.
Adaji made the call on Tuesday at a two-day interface on Inclusive Border Governance: Engaging States and Local Governments on Border Security and Economic Growth, organised by the Senate Committee on States and Local Government Administration.
The event brought together senators, deputy governors, officials of the National Boundary Commission, representatives of state governments, development partners and community stakeholders to discuss strategies for strengthening border governance, enhancing security and promoting socio-economic development in border communities.
Describing the forum as timely, Adaji said it provided an opportunity for the National Assembly and institutions responsible for managing Nigeria’s internal and international boundaries to engage on practical solutions to boundary-related challenges.
He said effective border governance extends beyond tackling trans-border crimes to include conflict prevention, institutional cooperation and sustainable development. According to him, the Commission remains committed to resolving boundary disputes through dialogue, technical expertise and collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
Adaji urged state governments to establish and strengthen State Boundary Commissions and other border management institutions to improve coordination, reduce conflicts and stimulate economic activities in border areas.
He also stressed that successful border management requires sustained partnerships involving federal, state and local governments, neighbouring countries and border communities.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on States and Local Government Administration, Senator Binos Yaroe, said many border communities continue to face challenges, including poor infrastructure, unemployment, inadequate social services and recurring communal conflicts, despite their strategic importance to national security and trade.
Yaroe noted that effective border governance requires not only security measures but also strong local institutions, community participation and targeted investments to improve livelihoods in border communities.
Declaring the interface open, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, represented by Senate Chief Whip Senator Mohammed Monguno, reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to supporting policies that promote effective border governance, peaceful coexistence and economic development in Nigeria’s border regions.
The interface is expected to produce recommendations to guide the National Assembly and relevant government institutions in strengthening border governance, improving intergovernmental collaboration and driving development across Nigeria’s border communities.