Nigeria and seven other West African countries have agreed to strengthen border cooperation aimed at improving security and promoting development across the region.

The decision was reached at the Third Meeting of Heads of National Boundary Commissions held in Banjul, The Gambia, from October 6 to 8, 2026.

Nigeria was represented by the Director-General of the National Boundary Commission, Surveyor Adamu Audu Adaji. The meeting brought together officials from Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal and Sierra Leone, alongside the ECOWAS Commission and partners including the German Development Agency.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by the commission’s Head of Information, Press and Public Relations, Chinwe Udouwem, discussions focused on strategies for accelerating boundary operations, strengthening border security and promoting cross-border cooperation and development.

Participants emphasised the need to speed up boundary delimitation, demarcation and reaffirmation through stronger political commitment, improved technical collaboration and sustained dialogue between neighbouring countries.

They also highlighted the importance of involving national governments, boundary commissions, local authorities and technical teams in resolving challenges that hinder boundary operations.

The meeting underscored the link between effective border governance, national security and community development. Officials stressed the need for cooperation to address security threats, prevent crises and preserve the social, cultural and economic ties among communities living along international boundaries.

Participants called for border governance strategies that integrate security, local development, trade and free movement. They also proposed the establishment of a cross-border cooperation fund and joint funding requests by neighbouring countries for further consideration.

A major outcome of the meeting was the identification of five bilateral partnerships for coordinated activities. These include The Gambia–Senegal, Benin–Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire–Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire–Liberia and Liberia–Sierra Leone.

Proposed areas of cooperation cover land and maritime boundary operations, cross-border initiatives, security, economic development and regional integration.

The Nigeria–Benin partnership includes a planning horizon spanning 2026 to 2029, providing a framework for continued cooperation on shared boundary priorities.

The meeting also reviewed progress towards the entry into force of the African Union Convention on Cross-Border Cooperation, also known as the Niamey Convention.