BORDER SECURITY AND THE MANAGEMENT OF NIGERIA'S RELATIONS WITH HER NEIGHBOURS

Outline

1. Introduction 2. The Specific Focus 3. Nigeria's Border Relations with its Neighbours 4. The Architecture of Border Security Threats 5. Border Porosity 5. Psycho-Cultural Threats 6. The Other Subversive Threats 7. Relations with Republics of Benin and Niger 8. Consolidating Good Neighbourliness 9. Conclusion

BORDER SECURITY AND THE MANAGEMENT OF NIGERIA'S RELATIONS WITH HER NEIGHBOURS

Author: Aja Akpuru-Aja

DOI Link: DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.56888/BIISSj2004v25n1a4

ABSTRACT

Colonialism and arbitrary boundary creation makes the issue of border security a grave concern for the African countries. However. promotion of bilateral and multilateral relations in diverse areas has provided the impetus for managing border tensions. Several considerations ranging from shared cultural and historical affinities to lessons from the 1967-1970 Civil War has influenced Nigeria's 'big brother' image vis-a-vis its neighbours. The role of 'big brother' arises from Nigeria's perception of low intensity threat from its weak and unstable neighbours. The paper identifies the reasons that lead to border tensions in Nigeria and analyses the rational of Nigeria's 'big brother' type role vis-a-vis its neighbours in the West African sub-region.

BANGLADESH INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AND STRATEGIC STUDIES

Outline