The Director-General of the National Boundary Commission (NBC), Adamu Adaji, has called for enhanced border demarcation across West Africa to strengthen regional security, promote peaceful coexistence and improve the socio-economic well-being of border communities.

Adaji made the call during a two-day Cross Border Cooperation Programme held along the Nigeria-Benin and Benin-Togo borders from May 14 to 15, 2026.

Represented by the Head of Cross Border Cooperation, Dr Farouk Tarfa, the NBC boss said clearly defined international boundaries remained essential for peacebuilding, community resilience and regional cooperation across Africa.

“Clearly defined and properly demarcated borders remain critical to enhancing cross-border cooperation, community resilience, peace and security across the African continent,” he said.

The programme was hosted by the Director-General of the National Boundary Commission of the Republic of Benin, Dr Yousouf Adams, and attended by officials of the German International Cooperation (GIZ), the African Union Border Programme and other regional stakeholders.

Adaji noted that many African borders inherited from the colonial era remained largely ambiguous at independence, but African leaders had resolved to respect inherited treaties while pursuing peaceful dispute resolution and regional integration.

He commended the collaborative efforts of the Nigerian and Beninese boundary commissions in promoting good border governance and sustaining peaceful coexistence among communities living along the borders.

The NBC Director-General also appealed for continued support from the German International Cooperation towards the completion of the Nigeria-Benin international boundary demarcation project.

According to him, successful completion of the exercise would improve cross-border cooperation, strengthen border security and create more livelihood opportunities for residents of border communities.

Speaking at the event, the Director-General of Benin Republic’s National Boundary Commission, Dr Yousouf Adams, said border governance in West Africa was undergoing a major transformation driven by commitments to security, cooperation and regional integration.

He explained that the African Union Border Programme serves as a continental framework encouraging member states to properly define their borders and transform border areas into zones of development and cooperation.

The delegation also inspected border pillars and visited several cross-border socio-economic projects during the programme.