The National Boundary Commission has called for dialogue and stronger community participation in African border governance, citing Nigeria’s experience with Cameroon as an example of how diplomacy can resolve disputes and promote cooperation.
The commission’s Director-General, Surveyor Adamu A. Adaji, made the call at the 2026 Border Forum in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, where he stressed the need for border demarcation to reflect the spirit of African brotherhood and the interests of communities living along national boundaries.
Adaji said negotiation should be prioritised in resolving border disagreements, noting that disputes could be addressed through diplomatic engagement rather than prolonged tension and litigation.
He cited the resolution of the Nigeria-Cameroon border dispute as a successful model, explaining that the process moved from tension and legal battles to diplomatic discussions, creating room for more effective cooperation between the two countries.
The forum also highlighted the importance of cross-border cultural exchanges, community dialogue and joint initiatives in building trust between neighbouring countries and reducing security challenges.
Among its key resolutions was a call for African Union member states to ratify the AU Convention on Cross-Border Cooperation. It also recommended institutionalising Local Cross-Border Cooperation to enable local authorities and border communities to identify emerging threats, exchange information, address local tensions and strengthen early warning and response mechanisms.
Nigeria, through the National Boundary Commission, ratified the AU Convention on Cross-Border Cooperation in 2023. The development paved the way for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Local Cross-Border Cooperation between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin on August 18, 2025.
The agreement provides a framework for collaboration between local government areas in Nigeria’s border communities and border communes in Benin. It also involves traditional rulers and other local stakeholders in efforts to improve relations and address shared challenges.
Both countries are working towards implementing the agreement, with the aim of turning the diplomatic commitment into a functional mechanism that delivers practical benefits to border communities and strengthens Nigeria’s national security.
The commission’s director-general expressed appreciation to the government and people of Côte d’Ivoire, the African Union and other development partners for supporting the successful hosting of the 2026 Abidjan Border Forum.
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