Nigeria and seven other West African countries have agreed to strengthen border security, accelerate boundary demarcation and deepen cross-border cooperation following a regional meeting in Banjul, The Gambia.
The Third Meeting of Heads of National Boundary Commissions took place from 6 to 8 October 2026. Nigeria joined representatives from Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Senegal and Sierra Leone, according to reporting on a statement from Nigeria’s National Boundary Commission.
Trade, security and local communities
Participants called for stronger political commitment, technical collaboration and sustained dialogue to help neighbouring countries resolve boundary challenges. The meeting also identified five bilateral partnerships for coordinated work, including Nigeria and Benin, whose proposed cooperation framework covers 2026 to 2029.
The discussions linked border governance with local development, trade and the movement of people. Participants also proposed examining a cross-border cooperation fund and joint funding requests, subject to applicable financial rules.
Regional boundary disputes and weak coordination can disrupt commerce and deepen tensions among communities with longstanding social and economic ties. Better coordination could help governments manage shared borders while supporting legitimate trade and peaceful movement, although implementation will depend on funding, technical capacity and sustained political cooperation.