Nigerian Border Research Articles

Nigeria’s Border Diplomacy in Africa: A Contraption of ‘Security Realism’ and Pan-Africanism

Following the adoption of the Organisation of African Unity -OAU (now African Union -AU) led African-wide border arrangement, which provides for the ‘sacredness’ of the inherited colonial borders in 1964, Nigeria deployed its geographical advantage as an instrument of diplomatic relations in the continent. Drawing from field observation and data collected through key informant interviews with Nigerian border enforcement officials, the study contends that in the quest to explore the inherent benefits of the borders, Nigeria’s border diplomacy has taken two opposing outlooks of nationalism and ‘Pan-Africanism’. It argues that, albeit contradictory, the two border postures follow the same pattern of a state-centric ‘top-down’ approach, which has proven ineffective in arresting the border situation. Thus, in addressing the border challenges to salvage its national security debacle, the study submits that Nigeria must understand its borders’ dynamics while deploying a practicable border diplomatic approach from the ‘below’ that factors the dynamics of its border regions and other non-state/sub-national transborder actors in the country.

Negotiating access and belonging: Recounting the lived experiences and challenges of migrant women returnees in Nigeria

The study explores the lived experiences of women migrant returnees in Nigeria. It aims to highlight the motivation and push factors for migration, understand the challenges and lived experiences of migrant women, and appraise their integration and sense of belonging. Through referrals and purposive sampling, a total of 20 migrant women were recruited and interviewed. The inclusion criteria include those who have lived and worked in the diaspora for a minimum of 5 years and 2 years as a returnee in Nigeria, respectively. The exclusion criteria involve women who migrated with families and those considered professionals. Themes were identified with the NVivo (v.12) qualitative software and the Content Qualitative Analytical tool employed to interpret these themes. The need for migration for many women includes access to improved economic life, infrastructure, and amenities, means of sustaining families in the home country, and improved social and political security. The lived experience of women migrants in the diaspora includes sexual harassment, rape, forced and inhumane labour practices, low wages, isolation and depression, and xenophobia. For many returnees, the challenge includes unemployment, integration, family support, inflation, and financial insolvency. The quest for integration and belonging is limited for many returnees. The paper argues for more robust migration policies and a well-established policy of integration for migrant returnees. The study recommends a more monitoring effort of the activities of the Nigerian border. This recommendation becomes crucial with the porous borders in Nigeria through which people, including women, migrate to other countries illegally and undocumented.

French Language Integration and Security Dynamics on Nigerian Borders

This research explores the multifaceted relationship between the integration of the French language and its impact on the security dynamics along Nigerian borders. The study delves into the historical, cultural, and linguistic dimensions of French language adoption in Nigeria, examining how this integration influences diplomatic ties, cross-border communication, and regional cooperation. Furthermore, the research investigates the security implications stemming from linguistic interactions, considering factors such as information exchange, intelligence sharing, and collaborative efforts between Nigeria and neighboring Francophone countries. Through a comprehensive analysis, the study aims to provide insights into the evolving landscape of language integration and its role in shaping the security dynamics within the geopolitical context of Nigerian border regions. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the complex interplay between language, diplomacy, and security, offering valuable perspectives for policymakers, scholars, and practitioners involved in regional cooperation and conflict resolution. Keywords: Security, Border, French Language, Integration

Shift in Language and Threat to Survival in a South-west Nigerian Border Town

The study examined the pattern of language use in Omuo with the aim of bringing to the fore the impact of multilingualism on the indigenous languages/dialects of Omuo people. The data for the study were obtained through the use of the questionnaire. The theoretical framework adopted for the study is Domain of Language Behaviour. The analyses were on the pattern of language use of Omuo dwellers in different domains- in the home, school, workplace, church and market. The study discovered that Omuo, Ahan and Omuooke languages/dialects, which were the major languages/dialects of the people, were less spoken among youths. This portrayed language endangerment. English/Yoruba took the lead in all the domains examined. The researcher, therefore, suggested that parents should be encouraged to transfer their in-group languages to their children in order to avoid language extinction and death.

Post-Colonial Nigerian State and Complexities of Irregular Cross-Border Migration

The post-colonial Nigerian state has been confronted with internal socio-economic and political quagmires. Over the years, the globally accepted standards for sustainable human capital development seem to have eluded the Nigerian citizens, thereby creating situations of reoccurring social complexities. Irregular migrations across Nigerian borders have implicated trans-national illegalities especially within West African region, and African continent in general. Today, there is a consensus among scholars that human migration across borders of Nigeria has remained an issue of national concern with far-reaching consequences. The study aims at examining how cross-border human migration had been orchestrated by internal contradictions, hence leading to unprecedented increase in organized trans-border illegal and criminal activities in Nigeria and beyond. The study adopts documentary method and employs the push and pull theory of migration that explains the phenomenon within analytical framework of trajectories of post-colonial Nigeria and complexities of cross border migration of Nigerians. The study argues that many migrants who chose irregular migration routes seemed not to be aware of the challenges they would encounter, neither are they sure of job opportunities in their destination countries, but due to years of governance failure in Nigeria, Nigerian migrants consider leaving the country as a better alternative. The paper further argues that no matter all measures put in place by Nigeria government and other West African states to prevent irregular migration, the possibility of achieving that is far from reality. As long as the Nigerian state remains irresponsible and irresponsive to economic hardships of its citizens, there will always be outflow of Nigerians who are ever willing to ‘escape’ from the abysmally poor living standards in the country.

Are Borders a Burden? Debates and Counter-Narratives on Nigeria’s National Security

Nigeria is in a security quandary. The country’s security debacles are impacting its socio-economic and political landscapes. Aside from the protracted Boko Haram terrorism, banditry and kidnapping have taken on momentary dimensions in the country. Many studies have attributed this menace to the porous and ill-manned status of Nigerian borders, which lend ambience to unwholesome intrusions and thus render the borders a national burden. This study unpacks the state of Nigeria’s borders vis-à-vis the national security experiences of the country. It argues that, beyond the ‘porosity’ debates and narratives, the lingering cross-border challenges are the effects of patronage networks and internal crises that have engulfed domestic lives and state politics. It submits further that, notwithstanding the subjective colonial status and the uncoordinated management agenda of Nigeria’s borders, they have inherent geo-strategic potentials and advantages capable of transforming national lives and enhancing state security.

The Microeconomic Implication of Border Closure in Nigeria: A Review

Purpose: This study aims to present the ongoing implications resulting from border closure in Nigeria. Approach/Methodology/Design: A systematic review of previous literature is conducted. All sources were collected from well-known databases. Findings: Nearly half the household budget is spent on food, even at comparable income levels. Land border closure by President Muhammadu Buhari has positively impacted agriculture. Many businesses are facing a loss. Most companies export 100% of their output to West African markets. Several parts of the Nigerian border were closed after the ACFTA was signed in 2019. The closure has angered ACFTA critics. Based on the NBS, food inflation increased from 13.2% in August to 13.51% in September, and from 13.51% to 14.09% in October 2019. Originality/value: Border closure results in significant losses. The study recommended reducing production costs. Agricultural extension services can help farmers adapt to climate change, improve yields, and provide modern techniques.

Who Goes Where and How?

Nigerien migrants flow into Nigeria everyday for several reasons with the hope of a better life. The ease of access into the porous Nigerian border allows the migrants free flow into the country. This research aims at investigating the purposes and patterns of migration in some parts of northern Nigeria with migrants from southern Niger Republic. Data on the migrants’ demographies and migratory histories was collected through in-depth interviews, the Open Data Kit (ODK), Focus Group Discussions and field observations while the analysis was by the use of the Microsoft Excel. Findings indicate southward movement of the people for bida; and ci rani especially during dry seasons. Other forms of migration include environmentally induced, health and educational. Migrants from remote parts of Niger come into Nigeria due to availability of jobs at the destination, good road networking and most importantly the presence of a network of family and friends that assists in securing these jobs. They use cars, lorries and beasts of burden while some simply trek across the border. In Nigeria, migrants lead a solitary life and engage in various new livelihoods. Patterns have been ascertained to be seasonal and circular and take the form of short-term movements which later lengthens to permanence. The seasonal migration (ci rani) has been historically traced to be an adaptive measure popularly practiced by agrarian communities in the drylands. It is recommended that an improved digitalized database system for the migrants be employed to manage their demographies, migration histories and means of livelihood. This will allow for proper accounting and management of both immigrants and emigrants where at a glance, a migrants profile would show their status as circular, returned or lifetime migrants.

Security Challenges and the Proliferation of Small & Light Arms in Nigeria: Implication for National Development

It is apt to note that the central impediment to sustainable peace and security is the constant and continued proliferation of small and light weapons (SALW). The escalation of these arms contributed/became a threat to peace and tranquillity in Nigeria and precipitated inter-ethnic conflicts leading to an insurgency on a light scale. The paper aims to examine the continued proliferation of small and light arms and the challenges to national security with particular reference to Nigeria and the sources. The study employed descriptive as its methodology anchored on the frustration framework within the secondary data source. The study unveils that arms proliferation is centred on the porosity of the Nigerian borders. This development contributes in no small measures precipitated security challenges. The paper concludes as part of its recommendations that governments should strengthen the security activities at the Nigerian border and train personnel on border-related issues. The paper concludes as a matter of urgency government should embark on the gainful employment of youths to subdue the activities of insurgents and terrorist attacks in the six (6) geopolitical zones of Nigeria.

Crisis of Banditry and the Internally Displaced Persons in Nigeria: A Political Economy Approach

Banditry crisis in Nigeria is one of the reasons for the emergence of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) and the creation of Internally Displaced Persons’ Camps (IDPCs). From the point of view of political economy approach, bandits attack as a result of many factors ranging from poverty and unemployment to the proliferation of arms as well as the desire to belong to the society. Managing this crisis has been difficult for the Nigerian state as adequate attention is not given to the situation; thus the increased number of displaced persons on daily basis. The study made use of secondary sources of data collection. It was discovered that banditry imposes untold hardship on the people; affecting their means of livelihood and exposing them to illegal means of sustenance. It has led to loss of lives and properties, undermined the security, peace and development of the Nigerian state and made women vulnerable to many societal ills. Efforts made by stakeholders to combat the scourge have not yielded the desired result. The paper thus recommends among others that, the over-dependence on the military to fight banditry is not the solution to the menace. There is the need to address the root causes of the banditry crisis which include poverty, unemployment, weak security system, the fragility of the Nigerian state, proliferation of arms and corruption. The government therefore should provide job opportunities for the youths; a conducive environment for the Internally Displaced Persons and plan ahead for them to return to their various homes. The government also should effectively monitor and secure the Nigerian borders with the neighbouring countries to checkmate illegal migration of people and arms proliferation. The government should re-orientate the people on ethical values and reverence for life and human rights.

Land accessibility and housing development in nigerian border communities

Land accessibility and housing development in nigerian border communities

GEO-STRATEGIC ANALYSIS OF IDENTITY POLITICS AND ETHNIC SEPARATISM: A RE-EVALUATION OF NIGERIA’S GOOD NEIGHBOURLINESS POLITICAL FRAMEWORK IN THE FACE OF TERRORISM

Identity politics plays a major role in the survival, peace and continued existence of independent African states. This cannot but exist in a situation where ethnic groups were factionalized between geographical delineations of colonialism. Nigeria lies between five francophone countries with geo strategic, identity and security implications. This ipso facto connotes the idea of a split of ethno religious groups originally bounded in historical empires but now exist within the borders of colonially separated states. In this wise, Nigeria’s good neighbourliness becomes an important political framework of interest. International terrorism since the wake of the 11th September attack on America has metalized into local terrorism perpetrated by the Boko Haram group in the case of Nigeria. Boko Haram terrorism has been internationalized with linkages with Isis and has spread its tentacles beyond the shores of Nigeria into neighbouring states of Chad, Niger, and Cameroon (countries which since the colonial era harboured Hausa, Fulani, Kanuri (Kanouri or Yerwa or Bare/Bari) and other such Nigerian northern ethnic groups with Islamic affiliations still binding the divided units since the Fulani jihad of the 18th century). Since Independence, Nigeria has wittingly dwelt within a choking Franco phony politics of survival. She had maintained a policy of good neighbourliness that has cost her continued friendship with France and economic openness to assist the African neighbours a breathing air of survival. In the wake of the new politics of international terrorism and with the spread of terrorist activities beyond the Nigerian borders into neighbouring States, this policy (good neighbourliness) becomes an agenda for analytical consideration, primarily because, relations between pre-colonial ethnic groups continue with a natural push and pull factor that post-colonial states cannot ignore. This is the relevance of this research paper which considers terrorism and identity politics within Nigeria’s security challenge as implicative on good neighbourliness. The paper argues that, terrorism, identity politics are negatively implicated on the security of Nigeria and its neighbours and that the political framework of good neighbourliness needs to be reviewed to take care of new arising challenges.

Effects of the border closure Benin-Nigeria on the marketing of Clarias gariepinus

The Clarias is consumed in Africa and Benin. Despite its important role in food, its sector is subject to many constraints, including marketing in Nigeria. The objective of this study is to assess the marketing of smoked Clarias in southern Benin in the face of the Nigerian border closure. It is made in the Oueme department. Individual surveys based on structured questionnaires were conducted with 30 fish farmers and 45 processors. From the results obtained, three Nigerian markets are known for the sale of smoked Clarias, of which Badagri is the main destination. The actors in this activity are mostly adults with an average experience over 20 years. Fish farming is mainly the prerogative of men (83.33%) while processing and marketing are the only privilege of women (100%). The closure of the Nigerian border has led to a decrease in the annual fish production of the respondents from 8,960 kg to 7,491.96 kg as well as a decrease in the quantity of smoked fish from 6,249.24 kg to 2,319.96 kg after the border closure. The study shows a decline in the level of income of fish farmers and commercial processors, especially in the achievement of food security in their households. The marketing of smoked fish in Nigeria appears to be a profitable activity for processors.

ARMED BANDITRY AND BORDER MONITORING: CHALLENGES FOR NIGERIA’S SECURITY, PEACE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The greatest challenge facing Nigeria today is international terrorism that is aided by religious extremism, porosity of borderline and cross-border security challenges and crime. Indeed, the existence of porous borders and cross-border and frontier activities in Nigeria has aided crimes and security challenges across Nigerian borders for long without any specific solutions. This paper examines the security challenges and the socio-economic effects of insurgency and armed banditry in Nigeria. The country as a nation state is under a severe internal socio economic and security threat. At a more general level, the threat has social, economic, political and environmental dimensions. Each of these dimensions has greatly affected the nation’s stability, and can be traced to the ethnic militia armies, ethnic and religious conflicts, poverty, terrorism, armed robbery, corruption, economic sabotage and environmental degradation. The efforts of the government to eradicate insurgency, banditry and corruption have been slow and costly in terms of public funds spent, lives and properties lost. This has made the citizenry to question, the efficiency of the menace. Using frustration-aggression theory, the paper then revealed that the major criminal activities in Nigeria borders are smuggling of contraband goods and illegal immigrants, trafficking in weapons and human parts, drug trafficking, vehicle crime, trafficking of illegally exploited natural resources, including the illicit trade in timber, oil and diamond among others. This growth and flourishing entry without proper check or monitoring, has brought about insurgency, armed banditry, kidnapping and corruption, etc. which has become a problem of security as a result of these borderless-borders in Nigeria, with armed banditry becoming one of the most intractable challenges facing the country today. There are many speculations that the groups may have found their way through our porous borders. Therefore, the study probes into the nature of Nigeria borders using Historical/descriptive method of research and analysis in Armed Banditry and Border Monitoring: Challenges for Nigeria’s Security, Peace and Sustainable Development. The study data were collected through documentation of secondary sources, including review of related literature journals and write-ups even as it built on the findings of already existing works about emerging security threats in Nigeria. The study is concluded by recommending among others that the country should evolve a sustainable social security system which will discourage public office holders from engaging in corruption, with good information sharing techniques providing gainful employment opportunities for the citizenry, etc.
 
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The Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons and the Challenges of National Security in Nigeria: A Case Study of Adamawa State

The proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALWs) is a major national security challenge in Nigeria. The insecurity resulting from insurgency, banditry, militancy, kidnapping, armed robbery, ethno-religious and communal conflicts have become worrisome in Nigeria. All this, are perpetrated with small arms and light weapons, which are easily concealed and used to unleash violence in the society. There is hardly any week that passes by, without a report of one attack or the other somewhere in Nigeria. Adamawa state is not different as security challenges perpetrated with SALWs have destroyed lives and properties, and displaced a lot of people many of whom are farmers thereby, threatening food security. Again, Boko-Haram insurgency has over the years increased the availability of SALWs in the state. Porosity of Nigerian borders in Adamawa state axis has equally made it much easier for criminals to smuggle in SALWs into the state from neighboring Cameroon. The security agencies that are saddled with the responsibility to check this are complicit, as the bad ones facilitate the smuggling or are themselves sources of SALWs. Today, there is mutual distrust and deep seated grievances among the various ethnic groups co-habiting the state due to injustice. The deep seated grievances have made groups to acquire SALWs for self-help and retaliation. Furthermore, suspicion is commonplace and many people have lost trust and faith in the security architecture of the state government. Thus, people have resorted to the acquisition of SALWs for self-defense. Above all, politicians procure arms for the youths during elections. These arms are never returned as they are used to make ends meet due to poverty and unemployment ravaging the country. It is within the context of this broad narrative that the proliferation of SALWs is situated in Adamawa state nay Nigeria. Therefore, to check this menace, there is need to rejig the security architecture of Adamawa state and indeed Nigeria. Border security must be strengthened through cross-border security arrangement with Nigeria neighbors. The culture of violence in politics must be de-emphasized and the premium attached to political office should be reduced. Poverty and unemployment should be reduced and Justice should be served to all who deserve it. Finally, mutual trust should be encouraged by the government to foster inter-ethnic and religious co-existence and harmony among the diverse people in the state.

The roaming threats: The security dimension of Almajiris’ mobility in Nigeria and its implications for Africa’s regional security

The culture of children begging for alms in Northern Nigeria is long-established and is propelled by poverty, ‘parentlessness’, the absence of parental care and, most importantly, the Islamic doctrines of ‘giving’ to children who are made to seek for qur’anic education outside their parents’ homes. The prevalence of these ‘almajirai’ in Northern Nigeria has begun to create new security dimensions as a result of their mobility given the context of their recruitment into terrorist sects such as Boko Haram and ISWAP. Almajirai have also indulged in drug addiction, street pickpocketing, and other urban crimes. Their mobility has constituted threats for transmission of dangerous communicable diseases such as Corona Virus-19 or what is known as COVID-19. This paper examines the non-military security dimensions associated with the mobility of wandering children beggars or what are often regarded as the Almajiris in Nigeria’s northern states. It examines the level of security threat that the Almajirai pose to the Nigerian state and what implications their mobility has for Nigeria’s internal security, especially in the age of international migration and globalisation. Further, the article analyses the dynamic ways in which the mobility of the Almajiris has threatened the security of the neighbouring states of Chad and Niger as well as West Africa’s regional security in general given its proximity and socio-cultural linkages. The paper employed secondary sources of data collection. It concludes that the mobility of Almajirai poses serious internal security challenges for Nigeria as it serves as a fertile ground for terrorist breeding and radicalization. Disease contraction and transmission, urban crimes such as car-hijacking tactics, pickpocketing, and criminal surveillance of potential innocent targets have become associated with their mobility; hence, regional security is endangered as a result of their increasing crossing of the loosely guarded Nigerian border to the Lake Chad area and West Africa.

Economic and Political Factor of Songhay Empire the Emergence of Kebbi Kingdom Nigeria, <i>c.</i> 1500s

The influence of the Almoravids movement in 1076 was one of the landmark developments that engendered the collapsed of Ghana Empire, from whence, Mali came into the limelight of political history in Western Sudan. From the second half of the 15th century, Mali Empire became weakened and disintegrated and thus eventually led to the emergence and rise to glory of the Songhay Empire. The Songhay was the last of the great Empires of the Western Sudan and the language called the Emghedesi remained the lingua franca until the middle of the 19th century. The expansion of the Songhay Empire since the second half of the 15th century was mainly along the large arc of the Niger River, from Dendi (Gaya Dosso region-Niger) on Nigerian border. The Niger River became important commercial waterways with the development of Timbuktu and Jenne as the principal extrepots of Western Sudan trade. Besides, Kanta Mohammad (Salih), a local chief of a vassal area gave military supports to Songhay Empire and defended it against Air and Borno having been aided by Kano and Katsina. In addition, between 1516 and 1517, Kanta Mohammad and his army took part in a Songhay expedition against Agadez in which afterward quarreled with Dendi-fari over division of booty. With these developments, Kanta broke away with Songhay and established himself as an independent State of Kebbi. As a result of vicissitude of time, Leka became the early capital of Kebbi kingdom with the celebrated attack on Borno in 1561, the wall of Surame was already built. In the meantime, the heartlands of Kebbi which lie to the west of Sokoto fall between the lands bordering the Niger, inhabited by the Songhay-speaking people territories of Zamfara and Katsina. The paper adopted the qualitative analysis as well as synthesized research methodology has so far examined and interrogated of the factor of Songhay Empire in the emergence of Kebbi in c.1500s.

Nigerian Border Security Management and Role of Personnel

That Nigeria straddles across a large expanse of land and waters is known. What is contentious is the nature of the challenges the country experiences in securing her national frontiers. The country naturally find herself sandwiched between mostly French and Portuguese speaking neighbours, which weakens inter-group communication in some border areas. Ironically, some other border areas are very porous due to the high degree of cultural inter-connectedness between the Kanembu, Yoruba, Shuwa Arab and many other cultural groups that are settled in the borders between Nigeria and her neighbours. The study accounted for the role of a number of security personnel in border management. It interrogates the state of Nigeria`s transborders and the litany of measures adopted to redress the challenges since independence. It found that the transborder relations is weighed down by multiple security challenges and that the porous and widespread nature of the borders create multiple forms of national security problems for Nigeria. It presents strategies for the containment of the menaces of insecurity in Nigeria`s borders and recommends strategic management processes for inter-state diplomatic and security transformations.

Nigeria’s Border Closure: Implications for Africa Continental Free Trade Area Agreement

African Continent Free Trade Area Agreement (AFCFTA) has long been considered as a mechanism for accelerating economic growth and engendering visible reductions in income inequality. Trading activities under the AFCFTA arrangement was expected to kick start in July 2020 but recent developments suggest that the implementation may be slowed down. The closure of Nigerian border barely 3 months after signing the pact is an indication of the low level of preparedness and commitments by most member states. The argument in favour of the border closure is further strengthened by the current reality of Coronal virus pandemic which suddenly hit the world's population. Moving forward, Nigeria's actions render the seriousness and prospects of regional integration in Africa a little doubtful. Apart from diverting focus from areas that can enhance free trade agreement such as trade data capture, transportation infrastructure, and border protection, the Nigeria's border closure may dampen the enthusiasm of other countries towards the free trade deal. The effect of the land closure placed a downward strain on the national income and GDP of Nigeria's neighbouring countries particularly Benin republic, Niger republic, Cameroun and Ghana. As a way forward, AFCTA should encourage member countries to diversify and specialize in the production of goods for which they have comparative advantage in order to deepen intra-African and intra-regional trade and for participating countries to benefit from economies of scale.

Legal viable options to incessant closure of Nigeria’s international borders

ABSTRACT Just like in 1984 and 2003 when Nigeria’s borders were closed to the neighbouring countries, the closure of Nigeria’s land border since August 2019 which is intended to combat smuggling of goods and to boost manufacturing and agricultural production has been subject of controversy. This paper observes that although the border closure may have brought some advantages in the area of increased revenue, numerous seizures of illegal materials and encourages local production of rice, the appraisal of the legal, economic, political and security implications however reveal that despite the perceived advantages, it may not be the best option. It concedes that the closure of the Nigerian borders is an exercise within its sovereign authority; but however, notes that the effect of an arbitrary border closure without sufficient notice adversely affects the interests of genuine businessmen as this amounts to a breach of their fundamental right of doing legitimate business across the border. It recommends viable legal options which the government can explore in line with standard global practice such as systemic efforts to boost the economy, by ensuring effective control, management, monitoring and protection of the border. It calls for regional integration and less burdensome procedures without undermining national interests.