ECONOMIC BORDERS: CROSS-BORDER TRADE AND INSECURITY IN NIGERIA

African Journal of Politics and Administrative Studies, 2023

This study investigates the complex dynamics of transnational security threats and the corresponding border management strategies at the Nigeria-Niger border, with a focus on crossborder crime challenges. The overarching theoretical framework employed in this research is the Theory of Transnationalism, which emphasizes the interconnectedness and interdependence of countries in the contemporary global context. The study draws on a rich body of secondary data from various sources, including academic publications, government reports, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations. These sources provide insights into the multifaceted nature of cross-border crimes such as human trafficking, drug smuggling, arms proliferation, and terrorism, which have the potential to destabilize both Nigeria and Niger and have far-reaching consequences for the broader West African region. The analysis of the data reveals the intricacies of cross-border criminal networks, highlighting the role of porous borders, economic disparities, and political instability in facilitating criminal activities. In conclusion, this research underscores the importance of a comprehensive understanding of transnational security threats and the vital role of effective border management in addressing them. The findings contribute to the broader discourse on border security in the context of transnationalism and offer valuable insights for policymakers, security agencies, and international organizations working to combat cross-border crime and enhance regional stability in West Africa.

Abstract This study is to highlight the challenges in the Nigeria’s international borderlines and its implications for national security at the cross-borderlines. This is because the layers of frontier and cross-border activities of Nigeria and her Neighbours since independence in 1960 has been bedevilled by controversies and worrisome security challenges that sparked diplomatic rows and near-war experiences. The greatest challenge facing Nigeria today is international terrorism that is aided by religious extremism, porosity of borderline and cross-border security challenges and crime. Indeed, the existence of porous borders and cross-border and frontier activities in Nigeria has aided crimes and security challenges across Nigerian borders for long without any specific solutions. It is therefore crucial to highlight the challenges of political authorities and security apparatuses in addressing the implications of cross-border activities at Nigeria’s frontier. By so doing, the researcher can contribute to knowledge by identifying issues of boundary questions and its implication for Nigeria’s security and territorial integrity. Moreover the study would be an opportunity to highlight political and diplomatic steps taken or required to resolve border questions between Nigeria and her neighbours to foster regional integration and economic cooperation with intervention strategies. The study therefore identified some of the issues that can result to or prevent escalation of war and reduction of border conflicts on Nigerian soil and any incursion from neighbouring States towards stemming the rise of insurgents and continued influx of illegal migrants from neighbouring countries. Finally, the study is necessary in order to highlight the possibility of catastrophic consequence of war between Nigeria and her neighbours arising from border issues and the implication for the nation’s political stability.

The failure of any state to effectively protect the lives and properties of the citizens spells doom for such a State. Such protection of the State includes, both internal; in the form of curbing and surpressing insurrections and rebellion, and external; in protecting the borders/territorial integrity of the state to avoid infiltration of transnational criminal networks and syndicates. As a consequence of globalization, many developing states including Nigeria, have seen their borders become weak, porous, and ill-policed, partly made possible by the many illegal entry points. The Nigerian border have been infiltrated by the inflow of small arms and lights weapons, crime syndicates, terrorists etc which have caused devastating security issues. This work is therefore aimed at analysing porous borders and weapons proliferations as a threat to Nigeria's security. Data were collected through the administration of 125 questionnaires and analyzed using simple percentage analysis and supported with the chi-square analytical methodology in order to arrive at a scientific and valid conclusion. Findings revealed that insecurity in Nigeria has greatly been influenced by the porous borders and weapons proliferations. The work therefore recommends for the implementation of strict border policing, training of border security personnel in intelligence and tracking device, and prioritizing human security.

IJAAR PUBLISHING , 2024

The paper critically examines the far-reaching implications of Nigeria's border closure of August 2019 on the economic and political landscapes of the neighbouring African states of Benin Republic, Cameroon, Chad and Niger. The Nigerian government's decision to shut its borders, primarily aimed at curbing smuggling, illegal cross-border activities, undocumented migration and enhancing domestic industries, had unintended consequences that reverberated across the region. Previous studies largely focused on transnational organized crimes across states’ borders with little attention given to the implications of border closure in West Africa. The study is designed to examine the rationale behind Nigerian government’s closure of her land borders, and as well interrogate the implications on the neighbouring states’ national security. The paper adopts the dependency theory to explain the closure issues while the case study design. Data are collected using the secondary sources. Findings reveal that the Nigerian government shut the border to enable her develop effective policies and foster regional cooperation; and to as well enlighten the neighbouring countries devise strategies to diversify their economies, reduce dependency, and enhance resilience to external shocks. The paper recommends there is a need for dialogue and collaboration to address cross-border challenges, security and legal initiatives between Nigeria and her sister's state to war against unhealthy activities at the border. This paper, however, concludes by shedding light on the interconnectedness of nations in the African context, emphasising the cruciality of a holistic approach to policy formulation and implementation, fostering cooperation and sustainable development within the continent.

Article, 2013

The paper attempts an economic analysis of some of the problems that arise from the existence of artificial boundaries in Africa. The approach adopted is related to the studies of economics of criminal activity. Though, the objective is to show how economic analysis can be used to formulate appropriate policy prescription for the control of such externalities as illegal trade in cocoa across the border, the immigration of unauthorized aliens and criminals, to ameliorate the problem of tax evasion and most importantly, the development of border regions. The paper argues that, the phenomena often neglected in international trade theory are in fact the key elements in any critical consideration of cross-border trade and the problems of border regions. It concludes that since the theory of international trade is not well adapted for explaining the problems border regions, the special characteristics of the border areas and routine economic activities may be of limited value in the macro economic analysis. The paper offers some insights into the understanding of some of the problems occasioned by boundaries artificiality and implications for national development.

2017

This article examines the causes and effect of trans-border crime on Nigeria’s security. The increase in the rise in smuggling, arms trafficking, drugs trafficking, human trafficking, and money laundry among others in Nigeria has given rise to various discussion between scholars.The paper employed the use of primary and secondary sources of data gathering. It engages the rational choice theory to explain the behavior of individuals in relation to crime. More so, the results shows thatthe problem with border crimes has been the high level of corruption in the country especially amid security agents. Porosity of the border is another issue that has aided in crumbling the security in the country. These problems needs to be resolved to prevent the continuous insurgency especially the Boko Haram and reemergence of ethnic rivalry and regional conflicts which could lead to loss of lives and properties. The work concludes that, necessary measures like improve welfare of security agents, imp...

Hasanuddin Journal of Strategic and International Studies, 2023

Nigeria is the acclaimed giant of Africa in specific ramifications. The country is bordered by four African countries namely Cameroon, Chad, Benin, and Niger, and emphatically the hub-nub of economic survival of many African nations such as Togo and Ghana. However, Nigeria's government recently announced the closure of its borders with these neighboring countries albeit, temporarily, and cited illegal importation of goods and services from these countries which has a consequential damaging effect on her economy. This paper interrogates the reasons and consequences of Nigeria's Government's action on border relations with neighboring countries. Adopting the descriptive design method, the research work relied heavily on secondary sources of data collection. Proximate stakeholders such as importers and exporters, Nigerian farmers, and relevant government agencies on border control were also interacted with. Using protectionist theory to analyze trends of actions, the theory argues that protectionist trade policies will always lead to an improved economic result. Findings reveal that despite short-run socio-political and economic gains, protectionism negates the principle of globalization and free trade principles which both the Economic Community of West African States and Africa Union promote among its member states including Nigeria that are signatories to the free trade protocols. The paper recommends among others, that the Nigeria Government should address her internal challenges within its border security apparatus to avert the double jeopardy of violating border relations principles and creating a trade war with her neighbors

2019

Border points in Nigeria have over the years, been characterized by its porous nature, weak control and a dearth of security personnel. Consequently, the development has led to the influx of smuggled arms and ammunitions on daily basis into the country, resulting in a gruesome phenomenon of violent conflicts, terrorism, war etc, which poses a great challenge to national security. The porous border situation presents a security problem demanding coordinated and collaborative national efforts of border security agencies and the inhabitants of borderline communities to address the issue effectively. The deficiencies and shortage of border security personnel, facilities, and training, combined with Nigeria’s prevalent penchant for graft and corruption complicate the problem even further. Thus, in a bid to capture the position of this research, the researcher adopted qualitative design to justify the essence of the study. The study was anchored on a combination of structural functionalis...

Interdisciplinary Social Studies, 2022

Background: Using secondary sources of data, and adopting transnationalism theory, it is discovered that Nigeria's territory and population are vulnerable. Consequently, the border towns and its people become prey to transnational terrorists' organizations; drug barons; smugglers; among others. Some frontline settlers are conscripted into or give support to the criminal elements; engage in illegal smuggling, thereby making the state lose vital revenue from some traders and corrupt state officials at the border posts. Aim: The study looked at some of the literature on border security and insecurity, terrorism on both a domestic and international scale, the effects of porous border security on people's lives, property, and socioeconomic activities, and the implications for those living in the border region of northeastern Nigeria. Method: Articles from magazines, newspapers, textbooks, and other resources were compiled. The many authors' viewpoints and contents are studied or addressed in the sections that follow. Findings: Border insecurity is the factor responsible for the inability of the states to halt the terrorists' activities across Nigerian international boundary in the northeast axis. Government is therefore urged to establish its authority in those frontline states; equip the nation's security operatives; boost crossborder security surveillances; provide social infrastructures for those at the border to make them patriotic and loyal to the state as the panacea for halting trans-border criminality and terrorism in the NorthEast in particular and Nigeria at large.