Nigeria is set to overhaul its border security system by shifting from manpower-driven patrols to a technology-based Smart Border Management System (SBMS) powered by drones, artificial intelligence and real-time intelligence sharing.

The move follows a proposal presented by Rear Admiral S.S. Lassa (rtd) at the National Boundary Commission (NBC) High-Level National Workshop on “Border Security, Resilience and Cross-Border Cooperation” in Abuja.

Citing the Broken Windows Theory by James Q. Wilson and George Kelling, Lassa warned that neglected border areas and weak enforcement created opportunities for serious crimes, including smuggling, terrorism, arms trafficking and illegal migration.

He said Nigeria’s vast borders, spanning over 4,454km of land boundaries with Benin, Niger, Chad and Cameroon, as well as its maritime domain, required a modern security approach.

The paper revealed that, while Nigeria had 364 approved international border control points, there were nearly 1,497 illegal, unmanned routes used by criminal networks.

Lassa said conventional border patrols and checkpoints alone could no longer effectively tackle emerging threats, advocating drone systems equipped with thermal cameras, radar, LiDAR and other intelligence sensors to provide continuous surveillance.

The proposed SBMS will integrate drones, satellites, biometrics, artificial intelligence, geospatial data and command centres to improve threat detection and response.

The presentation recommended a National Border Data Fusion and Intelligence Centre to unite information from immigration, customs, military, police and intelligence agencies.