By Philip Yatai
The Federal Government and the Republic of Niger Republic have reached agreement on boundary re-demarcation, security coordination and enhanced cross-border engagement.
Mrs Efe Ovuakporie, Head of Information and Public Relations Unit, National Boundary Commission (NBC), disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.
Ovuakporie stated that the agreement was reached at the end of a high-level session of the Joint Standing Committee of Experts (JSC) in Zinder, Niger.
She noted that the three-day meeting, held from Dec. 8 to Dec. 10, brought together senior officials, technical experts, and field operatives under the Nigeria/Niger Joint Commission (NNJC).
She added that the meeting was organised to review progress on ongoing boundary re-demarcation and to adopt new programme of activities for the 2025/2026 cycle.
She stated that the major outcome of the meeting was the formal adoption of the technical report on boundary re-demarcation activities, undertaken since the last JSC session in Abuja in 2023.
She said “the meeting revealed that 60 intermediate pillars were constructed between main pillars 79–80 and 80–81 in the Kongolam axis of Katsina State.
“In the same period, 40 intermediate pillars were constructed between pillars 108–109 and 109–110.
“Additionally, 17 intermediate pillars were re-evaluated between pillars 125–126 along the Maigatari/Machina corridor.”
Ovuakporie added that the JSC acknowledged that some critical activities remained outstanding due to funding and security constraints in the area.
She identified some of the activities to include joint inspection missions in the Dosso/Katsina sector, re-evaluation of main pillars 1–4 in Gaya, and the construction of 45 intermediate pillars in Kangiwa, Kebbi State.
She said that the two countries agreed to prioritise these tasks in the new 2026 Work Plan.
She stated that the delegation also considered the need to strengthen cross-border cooperation in line with the African Union’s Niamey Convention and the Integrated Border Governance Strategy.
“The delegates also reviewed existing cooperation corridors, including Kano/Katsina/Maradi, Kano/Jigawa/Katsina/Zinder, Kebbi/Sokoto/Tahoua/Dosso, Zamfara/Katsina/Jigawa/Maradi/Zinder and Yobe/Borno/Diffa, with a view to adopting global best practices.
“They assessed the persistent challenges in these borderlands, which include weak infrastructure, security gaps, socio-economic disruptions and unregulated spaces.”
She said that after extensive brainstorming, the experts adopted new proposals, which include reviving of cultural and socio-economic ties between border communities, enhancing joint-use of infrastructure in border corridors.
Other proposals, she said, included strengthening local governance collaboration between local government areas and communes, and expanding security coordination across shared border zones.
She added that the delegates recommended local cross-border workshops, joint socio-cultural and sporting activities, improved borderland infrastructure and enhanced security presence.
The NBC Director-General, Mr Adamu Adaji, during the closing session of the meeting, commended the experts for their diligence and expressed satisfaction with the quality of engagements.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to peaceful relations and deeper cooperation with Niger.
According to him, the Zinder resolutions will enhance boundary stability, reinforce peace and security and stimulate socio-economic development across the borderlands.
Also, Mr Boubacar Amadou, the Head of the Niger delegation and Permanent Secretary of the Niger National Boundary Commission, described the deliberations as “sincere, productive and forward-looking.”
He emphasised the need for greater financial support to accelerate outstanding demarcation tasks.
On his part, Amb. Musa Mamman, the Secretary-General of the Nigeria–Niger Joint Commission (NNJC), acknowledged the technical depth of the discussions and reiterated the commission’s commitment to facilitating future engagements.
Mamman also announced plans for Cross-Border Security Meeting in early 2026 to address emerging threats along the frontier. (NAN)
