How to address Nigeria’s border management challenges — Osinbajo

Prof Yemi Osinbajo presented the Research Paper titled, Border Management and National Development in Nigeria: The ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons Residence and Establishment in Perspective was delivered through virtual means at the College Conference hall on Monday 29 June 2020. In attendance during the presentation were the Commandant of the College, Rear Admiral Mackson Kadiri, Deputy Commandant, members of faculty and Directing Staff (DS) and selected Participants of NDC Course 28.

In his opening remark, the Commandant, Rear Admiral Kadiri thanked the Vice President for finding time from his tight schedule to receive the Participants. He stated that the Vice President’s Research Paper was part of the College service research report delivered yearly to the office of the Vice President with the aim of aiding the formulation of strategic policies that could address some of the challenges facing the country.

Speaking at the end of the presentation, the Vice President stated that border management affects the economy very considerably, hence the need for agencies involved in the sector of boarder management to work closely. He said “it is absolutely the correct thing to do, to try and see how we can unify agencies concern with boarder management so that there is synergy. We must come back to the question of synergy. Why it is that we have the kind of problem that we have at the boarders and ports and why the delays?”  He thanked the participants for a well research paper, noting that the paper addressed important national issues and that effort would be made to adopt and implement key recommendations.

The report identified the lack of coordination as a major weakness in Nigeria’s border management sector while key recommendations include the adoption of a comprehensive border surveillance programme, the creation of National Border Management Service, amongst others.