News

Peaceful Co-Existence Between Nigeria Neighbors Our Priority-DG National Boundary Commission

Published

3 years ago

December 21, 2023

The Gleamer

…As FG Constructs 739 Intermediate Pillars On Nigeria -Niger Boundary

… Resolves 15 interstate boundary disputes

Joel Ajayi

The National Boundary Commission has revealed that the promotion of peaceful co-existence between Nigeria and her proximate neighbors as well as cross-border cooperation and regional integration remain the priority of the commission.

To this end, NBC said that 739 intermediate pillars have been constructed so far along the Nigeria-Niger boundary as it resolves 15 interstate boundary disputes in 2023

The Director General of the National Boundary Commission Adamu Adaji stated this on Wednesday in Abuja, during a Press Briefing/Media Parley to mark the end of the year, where he highlighted huge achievements record in the outgoing year.

According to him, the modest achievements of the year 2023 were however achieved notwithstanding challenges that included uncooperative attitudes of some border communities, lack of proper sensitization, misconception of the essence of boundaries, negative influences of elites, limited resources.”

“Our business is the management of Nigeria’s boundaries that include the internal boundaries between communities, between the local government areas, and between the states and the FCT.

“Our works also include the international land and maritime boundaries of Nigeria with our proximate neighbors.

“Our strategy concerning the internal boundaries is focused on dispute prevention, dispute resolution, boundary definition, and trans-border relation maintenance.

“These we pursue vigorously through searches for delimitation records, joint meetings of the states and the Commission officials, joint field investigations, physical tracing, and provisional demarcation on the ground.”

While highlighting the success recorded in 2023, the Director General said: The Commission, conducted field investigations and demarcation of seven interstate boundaries, including boundaries of the Federal Capital Territory with its neighbors.

“NBC provided some infrastructural facilities, such as market stalls and motorized boreholes along corridors of some interstate boundaries to promote trans-border cooperation and integration for peaceful coexistence.

“Also, a total of 2,214 pillars have so far been placed along the boundary in a series of contracts awarded as Lots with the last one concluded in 2022 as Lot 7.

“The commission conducted a sensitization campaign along the Borno State Sector, preparatory to the execution of Lot 8 contract expected to commence in February 2024.”

“So, far, a total of 128 main pillars out of the 148 inherited pillars have been reconstructed along the axis.”

Another achievement in the outgoing year, according to the DG, is the deposition of the African Union Convention on Cross-Border Cooperation at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Also, the Disputes Resolution Commission achieved significant results in resolving 15 interstate boundary disputes in 2023.

The commission equally constructed 739 Intermediate Pillars On Nigeria -Niger Boundary.

He identified some of the challenges as the uncooperative attitudes of some border communities, lack of proper sensitization, misconception of the essence of boundaries, negative influences of elites, and limited resources, among others.

However, DG thanked the media for their positive reportage of the commission and urged them to disseminate information that encourages unity in border communities and boundary matters: “We will continue to engage the media as one of our major stakeholders and seek your cooperation for accuracy in your reportage.”

Share on Facebook

News

AWESSA 2026: Customs Assures Border Cooperation for Women Entrepreneurs

Published

11 mins ago

October 25, 2026

The Gleamer

By James Samuel, Abuja

The Nigeria Customs Service has said the nation’s borders must become gateways of opportunity for African women entrepreneurs, not obstacles that kill their businesses.

This was disclosed at the African Women’s Economic Sovereignty Summit and Awards (AWESSA) 2026 held at the Customs House, corporate headquarters of the Nigeria Customs Service in Abuja.

Representing the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, his representative, an Assistant Controller, said hosting the summit inside Customs premises was deliberate.

“That this summit holds within the Customs premises is no accident. It is a statement of intent,” he said.

“The border is where the promise of every African trader either comes alive or dies quietly. And the men and women of this Service have resolved that for every woman entrepreneur of this continent, that promise will never die.”

He said women account for an estimated 70% of informal cross-border trade in Africa and over half of agricultural labour, yet they face documentation, standards, finance and harassment challenges.

“Too often she meets the border as an obstacle rather than a gateway. Because she trades in small volumes, in cash, in informality without formal papers, capable business women are now trapped in informality, invisible to trade statistics,” he noted.

He added: “AfCFTA will not be delivered by treaties alone. It will be delivered at border posts, in conference halls, and in market stores.”

Also speaking, the Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, represented by a Director, said women are central to Nigeria’s non-oil export sector.

According to her, NEPC’s focus is now on building export- ready competitive enterprises through programmes like the Women in Export Initiative, Export Clinic, and Zero to Export.

“Our focus is no longer on encouraging exports alone, it is on building competitive export-ready enterprises. We are supporting women to move beyond production into value addition, quality assurance, standard compliance, branding and market positioning,” she said.

She said AfCFTA offers a market of over one billion people, but women need knowledge, certifications and institutional support.

“Empowering women economically is one of the most effective tools for achieving poverty reduction, food security, job creation and inclusive growth,” she stated.

The Convener, Helen Okon, who is the Publisher of Business Review Africa & Africa Today Magazine, as well as representatives of NAFDAC DG and NEXIM Bank MD, reaffirmed commitment to supporting women-owned businesses access standards, certification and finance.

The summit, with the theme of positioning women as drivers of trade and sustainable development, is part of activities marking the International Year of the Women Farmer.

Share on Facebook