The Federal Government of Nigeria has reiterated the urgent need for African countries to adopt a unified and collaborative approach to border governance.
The call was made during the 2025 African Border Day celebration, held in Abuja on Monday, where emphasis was laid on transforming Africa’s international borders from zones of tension and conflict into platforms for peace, economic growth, and regional integration.
Delivering the keynote address, the Director General of the National Boundary Commission (NBC), Adamu Adaji, stressed that the time had come for African nations to shift from perceiving borders as barriers to seeing them as bridges of cooperation.
He noted that the theme of this year’s celebration, “Building Border Community Resilience and Economic Development through Cross-Border Cooperation,” aligns with the African Union’s broader goals of promoting justice and reparations for Africans and people of African descent.
Adaji explained that while colonial-era boundaries once served as lines of separation and confrontation, they are increasingly being reimagined as avenues for partnership and unity.
“This is a welcome and encouraging development,” he remarked. “Good fences make good neighbours. We must intensify efforts towards effective border governance in order to transform our boundaries into bridges of unity, peace, and prosperity.”
Highlighting Nigeria’s active role in this transformation, the NBC chief pointed to the country’s ratification of the African Union’s Niamey Convention on Cross-Border Cooperation.
The convention provides a legal framework to promote peace and development across shared borders. He encouraged other AU member states to ratify the agreement so it could be fully implemented continent-wide.
Adaji further noted that Nigeria’s commitment to redefining its border relationships is evident in its ongoing work in boundary demarcation, conflict prevention, and the active inclusion of border communities.
“We work closely with local border authorities, traditional institutions, and the residents of these communities. They are crucial in strengthening community resilience, social cohesion, and ensuring the security of our territorial borders,” he said.
He also emphasized that Nigeria’s national security and economic well-being are closely linked to the stability and prosperity of its neighboring countries. As part of efforts to strengthen regional ties, the NBC has hosted numerous workshops and confidence-building meetings with neighboring countries to foster trust and reduce border tensions.
Looking ahead, Adaji proposed that future African Border Day commemorations be designed to serve as practical platforms for launching joint cross-border community projects and development programmes.
“We must use this occasion to engage in activities that promote mutual benefits for border communities and to remind governments of the ongoing challenges and the need for effective interventions,” he urged.