Nigeria's Border Communities: Navigating Challenges and Fostering Inclusive Development

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21794979

Keywords:

Border Communities, Inclusive Development, Nigeria, Socioeconomic Development, Insecurity, Marginalization, Community Engagement, Social Cohesion

Abstract

This study, "Nigeria's Border Communities: Navigating Challenges and Fostering Inclusive Development," explores the complex issues confronting border communities in Nigeria and identifies strategies for promoting inclusive development. The research highlights the unique challenges faced by these communities, including insecurity, poverty, and marginalization, and examines the impact of these challenges on their socioeconomic development. The study reveals that border communities in Nigeria are critical to the country's economic and social fabric, but they are often neglected and excluded from national development initiatives. To address these challenges, the research proposes a comprehensive approach that prioritizes inclusive development, security, and community engagement. The findings of this study have significant implications for policymakers, development practitioners, and stakeholders seeking to promote development and stability in Nigeria's border communities. By understanding the specific needs and concerns of these communities, stakeholders can design targeted interventions that promote economic growth, social cohesion, and human well-being. This research contributes to the existing body of knowledge on border communities in Nigeria and provides a framework for promoting inclusive development in these regions.

References

Adebayo, A. G. (2005). Border Management and National Security in Nigeria. Journal of International Relations and Development, 8(3), 241–256.

Ani, K. J. (2026). Nigerian Border Conflict with Neighbours and Implications for Regionalism. Ayika: Journal of Environment and Politics in Africa, 8(1), 227–242.

Asiwaju, A. I. (1993). Borderlands in Africa: A Comparative Research and Policy Perspective. University of Lagos Press.

Asiwaju, A. I. (1984). Partitioned Africans: Ethnic Relations across Africa’s International Boundaries 1884–1984. London: C. Hurst & Co.

Asiwaju, A. I. (2003). Boundaries and African Integration: Essays in Comparative History and Policy Analysis. Lagos: PANAF Publishing Inc.

Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA). (2024). The five-year master plan for systematic and structured development of border communities. BCDA Official Site.

Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA). (2024). Inclusive development in border communities: An analysis of the BCDA master plan.

Federal Government of Nigeria. (2019). National Security Strategy 2019: Addressing ungoverned spaces and border vulnerabilities. Abuja: Office of the National Security Adviser.

Ebuk, E. L., & Icha, B. I. (2026). Institutional freedom and autonomy: Implications for university leadership. MSI Journal of Education and Social Science, 2(1), 1–15.

Ebuk, E. L., & Icha, B. I. (2026). Leaders strategic planning to attain university autonomy: A study of the University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria. UAR Journal of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences (UARJAHSS), 2(1), 1–11.

Ebuk, L., & Icha, B. I. (2019). Teacher's acquisition and utilization of teaching skills for improvement of student learning in the 21st century in secondary schools, Akwa Ibom State. Journal of Contemporary Education Research, 15(8), 230–245

Isana, N. O. (2026) Sovereignty and Integration: A Diplomatic Analysis of Nigeria Custom Service’s Border Management Under the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) Framework. Journal of Multi-Disciplinary Studies, 8(2), 49-58.

Isana, N. O. and Afaha, P. U. (2026) From Confrontation to Cooperation: Evaluating the GreenTree Agreement between Nigeria and Cameroun as a Model for Conflict Resolution in Africa. ESUI Journal of Politics and Administrative Studies, (EJPAS), 3(2), 2026.

Afaha, P. U., & Isana, N. O. (2026). Evaluating the impact of Israeli farm settlements on sustainable development in Eastern Nigeria, 1961–1970. International Journal of Public Service Governance, Intergovernmental & Policymakers, 2(2)

Isana, N. O. (2021). Impact of Taiwan on industrial development in South Eastern Nigeria. Lapai Journal of Humanities, 12(2), 312–326.

Isana, N. O. (2026). Evaluating Nigeria's implementation of the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons (2010–2025). AKSU Journal of Social Sciences (AKSUJOSS), 7(2), 60–71.

Isana, N. O. (2024). Figures of endless controversies: Experiences, thoughts and forethoughts on national population censuses in Nigeria, 1962–2006. NOUN International Journal of Political Science and International Relations (NIJPSIR), 1(2), 80-90

Isana, N. O. (2023). Humanitarian Missionaries or Agents of Imperialism? A Critical Assessment of Development Partners and Non-Governmental Organizations in North-East Nigeria, 1999-2020. Awka Journal of History (AJOH), 1(2).

Isana, N. O. (2023). Nigeria and Taiwan: The evolution and dynamics of a relationship, 1960–2020. Awka Journal of International Relations (AJIREL), 1(1), 318–346.

Isana, N. O. (2023). Sowing seeds and knowledge as diplomatic tools: An appraisal of Taiwan's "Operation Vanguard" on agricultural development in Africa, 1961–1971. Lapai Journal of Humanities, 14(2), 119–126.

Isana, N. O., & Ademeso, T. S. (2025). Nigeria's Technical Aid Corps (TAC) and cultural diplomacy in the Global South: Opportunities, obstacles, and future directions. UAR Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies (UARJMS), 1(10), 1–16.

Isana, N. O., & Ademeso, T. S. (2025). Poverty alleviation in Nigeria reassessed: Explaining policy innovations and implementation barriers, 1960–2025. MSI Journal of Economics and Business Management (MSIJEBM), 2(9), 1–20.

Isana, N. O., Ademeso, S., & Maiyaki, B. (2025). Diaspora remittances and sustainable development in Nigeria: An empirical analysis, 2010–2024. MSI Journal of Arts, Law and Justice (MSIJALJ), 2(11), 1–18.

Isana, N. O., Ademeso, S., & Maiyaki, B. (2026). Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) implementation and its impact on women development in Nigeria, 2000–2024. UAR Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies (UARJMS), 2(1), 1–22.

Isana, N. O., & Afaha, P. U. (2026). Assessing the paradox of cooperation and friction in USA–Nigeria economic diplomacy, 1960–2025. Realpolitik, 2(2).

Iyekekpolo, B. E. (2020). Weak Border Management and Banditry in the Northwest Region of Nigeria. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS).

National Boundary Commission (NBC). (2006). National Boundary Commission (Establishment) Act 2006. Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette.

Nosiri, C., & Ohazurike, E. (2016). Border Security and Arms Trafficking in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects. Journal of Policy and Development Studies

Nugent, P. (2019). Boundaries, Communities and State-making in West Africa: The Centrality of the Margins. Cambridge University Press

Osuji, C.(2024). Inclusive Development in Border Communities: An Analysis of the Border Communities Development Agency.

Onuoha, F. C. (2013). Cross-border Crimes and Security Challenges in Nigeria. International Policy Brief.

Omeje, K. (2010). Whose Security? Conflict of Securities: Reflections of State and Human Security in Africa. London: Adonis and Abbey Publishers.

Rufai, K. A. (2024). An Assessment of the Impact of Nigeria’s Border Closure on Local Economies and Poverty. Zaria Journal of Peace and Development.

Downloads

Published

2026-08-04

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Nigeria’s Border Communities: Navigating Challenges and Fostering Inclusive Development. (2026). Pedagogy Forward, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21794979

Similar Articles

11-11 of 11

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.