Reports have it that Nigeria border remains porous, with illegal migration and cross-border criminal activity still quite rampant in the country, regardless of the billions of Naira invested in the e-border surveillance systems by the government since 2019. This raises questions about the efficacy of these Security measures. According to reports, unchecked migration into Nigeria continues from neighboring countries such as Benin, Chad, Niger, Mali, and Cameroon; many of these migrants have been connected to kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism. These persistent breaches have put the integrity of Nigeria’s borders and the effectiveness of its border management plans under intense scrutiny.
This assertion runs counter to several progressive remarks made by Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the country’s minister of interior, who claimed that automation has effectively addressed the porous borders of the nation. According to the minister, more than half of Nigeria’s borders have been automated with cutting-edge surveillance equipment that provide real-time monitoring and pictures. He also emphasized how the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has implemented sophisticated e-border solutions across over 80 crossing points across the country.
Rising border-related crimes have raised concerns.
In early December 2024, the minister stated that around 250 highly qualified Immigration Service workers are working around the clock at the e-border control center in preparation for the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex’s launch. Drones for surveillance have been deployed along vital border locations, offering real-time data and greatly enhancing monitoring of these areas. Generally, the Ministry of Interior made significant investments in border security last year, including funding for monitoring systems and associated projects.
This substantial Investment is no surprise given that national defence and internal security were among the main goals of the 2024 Budget of Renewed Hope. President Bola Tinubu had pledged that internal security Architecture will be rebuilt to boost law enforcement capacities with a view to defending lives, property, and investments across the country. While the spending demonstrates the government’s commitment to combating internal insecurity, the reported ongoing influx of illegal migrants and rising border-related crimes raise concerns that the existing strategy may not be adequate.
Govt is being pressured to fortify border security protocols.
Locals have expressed frustration with the government’s reliance on e-border systems, saying that the efficiency of these investments is compromised by the lack of obvious effects on ground-level security. Many border communities feel abandoned since they are still at risk from criminal factors and illegal migrants. This discrepancy between local reality and government activities highlights the need for a more participatory approach to border management that gives priority to the experiences and perspectives of border communities.
Residents of border communities are increasingly worried that the current system is not adequate to handle the issue as migrants continue to take advantage of loopholes. The former chairman of Kwara State’s Baruten Local Government, Abdulrasheed Abdullahi, said that Beninian migrants still enter Nigeria illegally, bypassing the e-border system. In spite of the government’s efforts to protect the borders, Umoru Usman, the Emir of Yashikira, also observed daily illegal crossings. The government is being pressured to fortify border security protocols, increase technological coverage, and enforce laws more strictly to protect the country’s borders.
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As locals continue to raise concerns about the effectiveness of the government’s current border security measures, it becomes imperative for authorities to reassess their strategy and ensure that the multibillion-naira investments in border surveillance systems translate into meaningful, visible outcomes. Meanwhile, the Minister of Interior has emphasized ongoing efforts to bolster security, which include plans for increasing personnel deployment, enhancing surveillance capabilities, and collaborating more closely with neighboring countries to strengthen cross-border intelligence sharing. However, these measures must be backed by effective implementation to achieve lasting results.