Ribadu, Akpabio advocate tech-driven border control
By: Abudu Olalekan
Insecurity is a beast. And Nigeria is tired of fighting it with old tools.
On Tuesday, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, made something clear. They want modern technology. They want stronger regional cooperation. They want Nigeria’s border security fixed. Now.
Ribadu didn’t mince words. Weak border governance? That’s a doorway for criminals. Terrorists. Networks that don’t care about lines on a map.
“A major pillar of Nigeria’s border security framework is the National Border Management Strategy,” he said. “We need an integrated approach. Intelligence collaboration. Better infrastructure. Improved surveillance.”
He talked about Border Management Information Systems. High-tech stuff at entry and exit points. Better data collection. Smarter traveler screening. Migration monitoring that actually works.
“These initiatives show Nigeria is aligning with international standards,” Ribadu added.
But he wasn’t just bragging. He admitted there are problems. Porous borders. Inadequate infrastructure. Limited tech. Gaps in inter-agency coordination. All of it needs urgent attention.
“Effective intelligence sharing, joint operations, harmonized procedures—these are essential,” he stressed.
He called for more investment in tech-driven solutions. “Expanding surveillance across land, maritime, and coastal borders will improve monitoring. It will reduce illegal cross-border activities.”
Ribadu got philosophical for a second. “Modern challenges require modern solutions. Biometric identification. Advanced monitoring tech. Data-driven frameworks.”
He also emphasized regional cooperation. Security threats are transnational. You can’t fix them alone.
And don’t forget border communities. Sustainable development. Better infrastructure. Economic opportunities. Keep them safe, and they’re less likely to be exploited.
“Strengthening Nigeria’s border security is fundamental to national stability. Protecting territorial integrity. Promoting socio-economic development,” he said.
But he ended with a reminder. “Border security is a shared responsibility. Security agencies. Government institutions. Border communities. International partners. All of us.”
Akpabio weighs in
Akpabio, represented by Senator Ahmad Lawan (Chairman, Senate Committee on Defence), echoed the same message.
“Nigeria has extensive land and maritime boundaries. That means serious challenges. Border control. Illegal migration. Arms trafficking. Smuggling. Infiltration of criminals and extremists.”
His point? Nigeria must prioritize border security. Improved surveillance. Better infrastructure. Inter-agency coordination. Technology. Regional cooperation. All of it.
“Many security threats have transnational dimensions. Coordinated responses are essential,” he said.
He dropped a hard truth: “There can be no meaningful development without peace and security. Porous, poorly managed borders? They become vulnerabilities. They undermine national stability.”
Akpabio advocated a whole-of-government approach. A whole-of-society approach, too.
“Government institutions. Security agencies. Civil society. The private sector. Traditional institutions. The media. Academia. Everyone has a role to play.”
The backstory
This all happened at a seminar organized by AANDEC. Commodore Amatare Kpou (retd.), the acting president, set the stage.
He described the event as a key platform for informed discourse on national security. The theme? “Strengthening Nigeria’s Border Security Architecture for National Stability.”
Timely, he said. Given the threats of irregular migration, smuggling, trafficking, and cross-border crimes.
Kpou expressed confidence the deliberations would yield useful recommendations for policymakers. “We’re building a safer, more secure Nigeria.”
Here’s the reality check. Nigeria shares over 4,000 kilometers of land borders with neighboring countries. Plus an extensive coastline. Border security isn’t optional—it’s critical.
Authorities have said it over and over. Porous borders are channels for terrorism, arms smuggling, human trafficking, and other transnational crimes.
The Federal Government has been trying. In recent years, they’ve intensified efforts. Technology. Intelligence sharing. Regional cooperation.
But as Tuesday’s call shows—there’s still a long way to go.
