The National Boundary Commission (NBC) says it is taking significant steps to enhance Nigeria’s maritime interests and promote peaceful boundary resolutions with neighbouring countries.
This initiative is part of the commission’s broader mandate to resolve boundary disputes, encourage peaceful coexistence, and support sustainable development in Nigeria’s boundary regions.
Director General of the NBC, Surveyor Adamu Adaji, made this announcement during an end-of-year media briefing in Abuja.
Adaji emphasised the importance of fostering collaboration with neighbouring nations to address outstanding boundary issues, which are vital for national stability and development.
The Director General, represented at the event by Surveyor Emmanuel Bulus, Director of Interstate Boundaries in the commission, noted that the commission, through the Maritime Boundaries Department, engaged in several inter-regional boundary dispute resolutions.
He highlighted several key achievements, including the resumption of boundary negotiations and the establishment of a Joint Technical Committee, with plans for the first Ghana/Nigeria Boundary Commission meeting set for 2025.
“Proactive engagements for sustainable resource management in the Gulf of Guinea are also in the works, with discussions scheduled for early 2025. Capacity-building efforts are underway, including officer training in Tanzania, aimed at effectively managing the vital maritime zone,” he stated.
While discussing the commission’s accomplishments over the past year, Adaji noted that the commission has facilitated numerous meetings to address long-standing issues along the Nigeria-Benin international boundary.
Key milestones included the inaugural session of the Committee of Experts for the Adjara River Sector, held in Porto Novo, Benin Republic, along with subsequent meetings that reviewed and approved essential documents to resolve disputes in the Adjara River area.
Additionally, he mentioned that technical committees have analyzed historical treaties to better understand the boundary’s dynamics across three states, with a specific focus on the Illo/Bugu sector.
“Significant strides were made along the Nigeria-Niger boundary with the sensitization of communities in Adare and Maigatari sectors, preparatory to the construction of 40 intermediate pillars in Jigawa State.
“These pillars, constructed between existing primary pillars, aim to make the boundary more visible and reduce disputes. The Commission completed the construction of 254 pillars in Borno State along the Nigeria-Cameroon boundary.
“It also hosted the 6th Extraordinary Session of the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission in Yaoundé and undertook confidence-building initiatives in Adamawa, Borno, and Cross River States,” he said.
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In community resettlement projects, he stated that the NBC completed the construction of solar-powered boreholes in Banki town (Borno State) and Hadejia (Jigawa State). These efforts are critical in improving the livelihoods of displaced populations and fostering peaceful coexistence.
“Through these initiatives, the International Boundaries Department has reinforced Nigeria’s commitment to peaceful boundary management, fostering cooperation with neighbouring countries, and enhancing the welfare of border communities,” he added.
He noted that the NBC operationalised bilateral platforms along Nigeria’s international boundaries, covering Nigeria/Benin, Nigeria/Niger, Nigeria/Chad, Nigeria/Cameroon, and Nigeria’s maritime borders, promoting peaceful coexistence and cooperation among border communities.
“As a leader in the ECOWAS Cross-Border Cooperation initiative, Nigeria continues to champion the free movement of people, goods, and services within West Africa.
“On the intercontinental level, Nigeria ratified the African Union Niamey Convention on Cross-Border Cooperation. This step enhanced peaceful border management, strengthened border security, and unlocked economic opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA),” Adaji said.
He announced that the Commission successfully resolved several interstate, local government, and community boundary disputes in Nigeria using a stakeholders and home-grown formula approach.
He also mentioned that they revived stalled pillar emplacement projects by harmonizing historical records and facilitating renewed dialogue among stakeholders and the Commission.
However, the Director General emphasised that the NBC library is now fully digitised with modern technological innovations for archival purposes. He reiterated that resolving interstate boundary disputes remains a top priority, despite the challenges faced in fulfilling their mandate, while they continue to enhance their staff’s capacity to tackle upcoming tasks.
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