The National Boundary Commission (NBC) has taken steps to develop practical strategies towards strengthening border security, promoting resilience and cross border cooperation.
The Director-General, Mr Adamu Adaji stated this at a one-day high-level workshop on border security in Abuja on Monday.
Adaji said that the goal was mainly to define and determine borders that were secure, resilient, and beneficial to the people they serve.
He noted the incidences of transnational threats, irregular migration, smuggling, pressure of climate and economic challenges.
According to him, borders are not just lines of separation, they are also critical frontiers of cooperation, stability, and national prosperity.
He said that the NBC has established platforms across all Nigeria’s international borders to provide structured mechanisms for sustained engagement among border communities, and traditional institutions.
He identified other institutions as local government authorities, security agencies, and civil society organisations, with their counterparts across the divides with Nigeria’s neighbours.
This, he said, was in line with the African Union Convention on Cross Border Cooperation, which emphasises the importance of local cross border cooperation in community engagement
Adaji said that the workshop brought together critical stakeholders, whose policies and programmes shape current realities at borders.
He identified the stakeholders as state governments, whose communities were directly impacted; and security and intelligence services, who work tirelessly to safeguard Nigeria’s sovereignty.
Others, he said, included Ministries, Departments and Agencies, whose policies and programmes impact border communities.
“We must move beyond reactive measures and embrace coordinated, forward-looking approaches that integrate security, governance, and socio-economic inclusion.
“Properly managed borders can become gateways for trade, cultural exchange, and regional integration. Our task, therefore, is to strike the right balance between vigilance and openness,” he said.
In his remarks, Minister of Defence, retired Gen. Christopher Musa, said that effective border management and territorial defence requires clearly demarcated borders, sustained cooperation with neighbouring countries, and strong institutional coordination.
Musa, who was represented by his Special Adviser, retired Rear Adm. Olusanya Bankole, however, argued that traditional approaches alone were no longer sufficient.
“The emphasis on early warning and early response mechanisms is critically important as it shifts our posture from reactive to proactive engagement. Anticipating threats before they escalate is central to maintaining national stability.
“Equally commendable is the use of drone technology and other innovative tools for smart border management.
“In an era defined by rapid technological advancement, we must harness these capabilities to enhance border definition and surveillance, improve situational awareness, and strengthen operational effectiveness,” he said.
The minister reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening border governance, enhancing security architecture, and promoting resilience across all our border communities.
Also speaking, Rear Adm. Abdullahi Ahmed, Commandant, National Defence College, stressed the need for cooperation among nations and neighbouring communities in border management.
Amed noted that no country could manage border challenges in isolation, stressing that border security was not only about patrols and policies, but also about building resilience within communities.
On his part, Emir of Machina, Yobe State, Alhaji Bashir Bukar, stressed the need for strong engagement with traditional institutions.
Bukar, who spoke on behalf of traditional rulers, described traditional institutions as “vital communication channels” in communities.
