By Grace Abe
The Federal Government has urged African countries to transform borders into hubs of integration, cultural exchange and security rather than lines of separation.
The Director-General of the National Boundary Commission (NBC), Mr Adamu Adaji, made the call at the three-day Abidjan Border Forum held from Oct. 20.
The forum, themed “People at the Borders: Culture, Integration, and Security,” focused on strengthening cross-border cooperation and addressing challenges affecting border communities.
A statement on the forum issued by the NBC’s Head of Information, Press and Public Relations, Chinwe Udouwem, was made available to newsmen on Friday in Abuja.
According to the statement, Adaji, at the forum, advocated negotiation in border demarcation.
“There is a need for negotiation in the demarcation of borders in the spirit of African brotherhood, taking into consideration the interests of local communities,” Adaji said.
He cited the resolution of the Nigeria-Cameroon border dispute as a successful model of peaceful conflict resolution, noting its transition from tension and litigation to diplomatic negotiations.
Adaji urged African countries to prioritise dialogue and mutual understanding in resolving border disputes while ensuring that the interests of affected communities were adequately considered.
He also called on African nations to view borders as opportunities for integration, cultural exchange and collective security rather than barriers separating communities.
The forum was declared open by the Prime Minister of Côte d’Ivoire, Mr Robert Mambé, while the Chairman of the African Union Commission, Mr Mahmoud Youssouf, delivered the inaugural address.
Participants emphasised the importance of cross-border cultural exchanges and joint initiatives to address security challenges confronting border communities across the continent.
Key resolutions included calls for the ratification of the African Union Convention on Cross-Border Cooperation and the institutionalisation of Local Cross-Border Cooperation.
The measures are expected to empower local authorities and border communities to address emerging threats and strengthen early-warning mechanisms.
The Abidjan Border Forum was institutionalised by the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government in February 2025 as a continental platform for border governance.
The statement noted that Nigeria ratified the African Union Convention on Cross-Border Cooperation in 2023, paving the way for an agreement with the Republic of Benin.
It added that a memorandum of understanding was signed between Nigeria and Benin on Aug. 18, 2025, to promote collaboration between Nigeria’s border local government areas and Benin’s communes.
The collaboration also involves traditional rulers and seeks to strengthen cooperation among border communities and local authorities in both countries.
Adaji expressed appreciation to the Government of Côte d’Ivoire, the African Union and development partners for the successful hosting of the forum.(NAN)
Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi
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