Border Security and Time to Consider Border Fencing in Nigeria

Border fencing are physical barriers constructed along international border lines. The primary objectives is to prevent unauthorized crossing, deter smuggling and ensure territorial integrity.

It provides more comprehensive approach to border security, it is no more news that Nigeria Borders are extensively Porous from to northwest, north central to south south Nigeria. These porous borders have become a conduit for terrorist, smugglers, human traffickers and Transnational criminals with more than 1,400 illegal rout with only 114 approved posts, extra measures to safeguard the country from criminal elements remain an urgent imperative.

Most of the states that witnessed violent attacks and kidnaps of school children are mainly states close to International borders, Kwara State, Kebbi State, Niger State, Borno state, are near International borders with Benin, Niger Republic and Chad respectively.

Nigeria has lost billions of dollars annually to insecurity through economic disruptions deterring foreign investment and crippling of Development in Agriculture.

If Nigeria is genuinely committed as a nation to confront the security and economic vices facilitated through our porous borders fencing remains a critical option that can significantly compliment government effort in reducing the challenges of insecurity.

Gen. Christopher Musa (Rtd) Minister of Defence Nigeria
Fencing signals state presence authority and intent, particularly in remote areas where Governance is weak or not existing. Doing this will curb smuggling, prevent Economic leakages and facilitate structured migration management and its related benefits.

Pakistan has constructed extensive border, fencing along its frontiers with Afghanistan a decisive measures to curb terrorism Saudi Arabia has constructed fence along its border with Iraq to ensure control over its frontiers, India has done same along its borders with Pakistan to counter terrorism and arms smuggling, Israel built a fence along the Gaza strip and the Sinai borders with Egypt resulting in significant reduction of terrorist activities, Even the United States of America undertook border fencing along parts of the US-Mexico border.

With General Christopher Musa a proponent of Border fencing as the present Federal Minister of Defence the time is ripe to initiate a template and Advocacy Capable of prioritizing Border fencing in Nigeria.

I read with utmost satisfaction the concerns raced by Nation Newspaper on June 2025 and support their call for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to constitute a presidential tax force on strategic border fencing with the full presidential mandate to undertake a National Border Security risk survey identifying, prioritising Vulnerable corridors prone to transnational crime, design a phased border fencing master plan with informed threat, indices and regional strategic importance.

In confronting the challenges crucial in the Global community for achieving a safer more secured world in the face of current global illegal migration crises and abuse of Ecowas protocol on free entry.
We must fence our borders and the Best time is now.

Polycarp Nwampka is the Program Officer at WAANSA Ebonyi State, Nigeria