The National Boundary Commission (NBC) has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the peaceful resolution of outstanding boundary issues with the Republic of Benin, calling for stronger cross-border cooperation to enhance security and promote development in border communities.
The Director-General of the commission, Surveyor Adamu A. Adaji, stated this at the opening ceremony of the meeting of the Joint Standing Committee on the Nigeria–Benin International Boundary, holding in Lagos from October 28 to 30, 2026.
Adaji described the meeting as a significant step towards strengthening friendship, cooperation and peaceful coexistence between the two neighbouring countries.
He noted that Nigeria and Benin share approximately 770 kilometres of land boundary traversing six Nigerian states, with communities on both sides maintaining longstanding social, cultural and economic ties.
According to him, the management and resolution of boundary disputes must be guided by relevant legal instruments, available evidence and technical procedures, while taking into account the legitimate interests of border communities.
He called for adequate sensitisation and engagement of affected communities as the demarcation process progresses.
The NBC director-general said the meeting builds on previous deliberations held in Abuja in 2022 and Cotonou in 2024, as well as recommendations from the Joint Technical Team meeting held in Kétou, Benin Republic, from June 2 to 8, 2026.
The technical meeting followed field completion exercises conducted by both countries along the Illo–Borgu boundary.
While emphasising the importance of completing the demarcation process, Adaji said effective border governance also required sustained cooperation among government institutions and communities living along the boundary.
He particularly called for the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on Local Cross-Border Cooperation, following agreements signed by chairmen of border local governments in Nigeria and their counterparts in the communes of Benin Republic.
Adaji said translating the agreement into practical action through regular consultations, joint action plans and community-based initiatives would strengthen border security, promote cultural integration, facilitate legitimate cross-border trade and improve socioeconomic development.
He also commended the government of Benin for its continued commitment to bilateral boundary mechanisms and acknowledged the support of the German government through the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) in promoting peaceful boundary management and cross-border cooperation.
The NBC chief reaffirmed the commission’s readiness to work with its Beninese counterpart to resolve outstanding issues and advance the demarcation process.
He urged both delegations to engage constructively and agree on practical, time-bound measures that would benefit the two countries and their border communities.
In his remarks, the Director-General of Benin’s Agency for Integrated Management of Border Spaces and head of the country’s delegation, Adam Youssoufou, expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government and people for their hospitality.
Youssoufou also commended GIZ for its support towards resolving boundary issues and facilitating cross-border cooperation between the two countries.
He observed that unclear boundary demarcation had created challenges for security, economic development and cooperation along international borders.
The Beninese delegation leader urged both sides to work collaboratively towards completing the demarcation process, expressing confidence that the meeting would produce positive outcomes and strengthen their shared commitment to peaceful border management.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, represented by the Acting Director-General of the West Africa Division, Mrs Temidayo Balogun, said the objective of the meeting extended beyond the delineation of geographical boundaries.
She said the priority was to consolidate a peaceful, predictable and mutually beneficial relationship between the two neighbouring countries.
“Our success should not be measured only by progress in the technical definition of boundary but also by the confidence it inspires, the cooperation it facilitates and the benefits it delivers to our respective people,” she said.
The meeting of the Joint Standing Committee provides a platform for Nigeria and Benin to review outstanding boundary matters, consider technical recommendations and strengthen bilateral cooperation towards the peaceful and effective management of their shared international boundary.
