Nigeria and seven other West African countries have agreed to strengthen border security, speed up boundary demarcation and improve cooperation to promote trade, free movement and economic development across the region.
The agreement followed the Third Meeting of Heads of National Boundary Commissions, held in Banjul, The Gambia, from October 6 to 8, 2026.
According to a statement by Nigeria’s National Boundary Commission (NBC), the meeting brought together representatives from Nigeria, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Senegal and Sierra Leone.
Nigeria was represented by the Director-General of the commission, Adamu Audu Adaji.
The meeting was organised under an annual consultation mechanism established by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in 2024. Participants reviewed progress on recommendations made at the previous meeting in Cotonou, Benin, in August 2025.
Nigeria, Benin Among Five Bilateral Partnerships
One of the key outcomes was the identification of five bilateral partnerships to coordinate activities relating to shared borders.
The partnerships involve The Gambia and Senegal; Benin and Nigeria; Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana; Côte d’Ivoire and Liberia; and Liberia and Sierra Leone.
The proposed collaborations will cover land and maritime boundary operations, security, cross-border initiatives, economic development and regional integration.
For Nigeria and Benin, the proposed cooperation framework covers 2026 to 2029, providing a basis for sustained engagement on shared boundary issues.
Participants called for stronger political commitment, improved technical collaboration and continued dialogue to accelerate boundary delimitation, demarcation and reaffirmation.
They also recommended that neighbouring countries adopt bilateral agreements clearly setting out the objectives, stages and technical requirements of boundary operations.
The use of compatible equipment, experienced technical personnel and effective communication channels was identified as important to resolving operational challenges and preventing disputes.
Border Communities To Play Greater Role
Beyond security, the countries stressed the need to involve local authorities and border communities in decisions affecting their areas.
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According to the NBC, participants said community involvement could help prevent misunderstandings, resolve disputes peacefully and preserve the social, cultural and economic ties between communities living along international boundaries.
They also called for border governance strategies to integrate security with local development, trade and the free movement of people.
The meeting proposed further examination of a cross-border cooperation fund and joint funding requests by neighbouring countries, subject to applicable financial regulations.
Other recommendations included improving coordination among national and regional boundary institutions, mobilising sustainable domestic funding and strengthening technical cooperation.
Participants also called for evidence-based monitoring of projects, verification of security conditions before monitoring missions and clearer definitions of institutional responsibilities.
African Union Convention Nears Ratification Threshold
The meeting also reviewed progress towards the entry into force of the African Union Convention on Cross-Border Cooperation, known as the Niamey Convention.
According to the meeting’s report, The Gambia’s recent ratification brought the number of ratifying African countries to 14, one short of the 15 required for the convention to take effect.
Countries yet to complete their ratification processes were urged to expedite the procedures to strengthen the continent’s framework for cross-border cooperation.
The NBC said Nigeria’s participation provided an opportunity to deepen engagement with neighbouring countries and regional institutions on issues affecting border communities and national security.
The commission added that regional collaboration remained important for addressing boundary challenges, promoting peaceful coexistence and supporting economic development across West Africa.
