Nigeria and seven other West African countries have agreed to strengthen border security, accelerate boundary operations and deepen cross-border cooperation to promote regional stability, economic development and peaceful coexistence.
The countries reached the understanding at the Third Meeting of Heads of National Boundary Commissions, held in Banjul, The Gambia, from October 6 to 8, 2026.
The National Boundary Commission disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday by its Head of Information, Press and Public Relations, Chinwe Udouwem.
The meeting brought together representatives from Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal and Sierra Leone, alongside the Economic Community of West African States Commission and technical and financial partners, including the German Development Agency.
Nigeria was represented by the Director-General of the National Boundary Commission, Adamu Audu Adaji.
The meeting formed part of the annual consultation mechanism established by ECOWAS in 2024 to strengthen regional border governance and cooperation.
Participants reviewed the implementation of recommendations from the second meeting, held in Cotonou, Benin, in August 2025, shared national experiences and identified priorities for improving boundary management across the region.
They emphasised the need to accelerate boundary delimitation, demarcation and reaffirmation through stronger political commitment, improved technical collaboration and sustained dialogue between neighbouring countries.
The participants also highlighted the importance of involving national governments, boundary commissions, local authorities and technical teams in resolving challenges affecting boundary operations.
They stressed that bilateral agreements should clearly define the objectives, stages and technical requirements of boundary projects to ensure effective implementation.
The use of compatible equipment, engagement of experienced resource persons and maintenance of open communication channels were also identified as essential measures for overcoming operational difficulties and promoting the peaceful resolution of boundary disputes.
Border Security, Community Development in Focus
The meeting underscored the strategic relationship between effective border governance, national security and community development, noting that stronger cooperation is essential to addressing security threats, preventing crises and preserving the social, cultural and economic ties among border communities.
Participants called for greater involvement of local authorities and border communities in consultation and decision-making processes, stressing that community engagement could help prevent misunderstandings, resolve disputes and promote peaceful coexistence.
They also emphasised the need to integrate security, local development, trade and free movement into border governance strategies.
The establishment of a cross-border cooperation fund and the submission of joint funding requests by neighbouring countries were proposed for further consideration, subject to applicable financial regulations.
Five Bilateral Partnerships Identified
Another major outcome of the meeting was the identification of five bilateral partnerships for coordinated activities across the region.
The partnerships are The Gambia–Senegal, Benin–Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire–Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire–Liberia and Liberia–Sierra Leone.
Proposed areas of cooperation include land and maritime boundary operations, cross-border initiatives, security, economic development and regional integration.
The Nigeria–Benin partnership includes a planning horizon spanning 2026 to 2029, providing a framework for continued cooperation on shared boundary priorities.
The proposed initiatives are expected to strengthen coordination between neighbouring countries while addressing common challenges affecting border communities.
Countries Urged to Accelerate Ratification of Niamey Convention
Participants also reviewed progress towards the entry into force of the African Union Convention on Cross-Border Cooperation, also known as the Niamey Convention.
According to the report, The Gambia’s recent ratification brought the total number of ratifying African states to 14, out of the 15 required for the convention to enter into force.
Countries yet to complete their ratification processes were encouraged to expedite the procedures to strengthen the continental framework for cross-border cooperation.
The meeting’s final recommendations included improving coordination among national and regional border institutions, operationalising local cross-border cooperation, promoting inclusive community participation, mobilising sustainable domestic resources and strengthening technical collaboration.
Other priorities included gathering evidence of project implementation, verifying security constraints before monitoring missions, clarifying institutional responsibilities and securing sustainable financing for cross-border initiatives.
The meeting reaffirmed the importance of regional collaboration in addressing boundary challenges and promoting peaceful coexistence, security, economic development and regional integration.
For Nigeria, participation in the regional platform provides an opportunity to deepen engagement with neighbouring countries and regional institutions while advancing effective border governance.
The outcomes also reinforced the strategic role of the National Boundary Commission in strengthening border management, supporting national security and promoting cooperation among communities across Nigeria’s international boundaries.
