By Gabriel Ameh
📍Lagos | Media360Impact Report
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and Lagos State University (LASU) have partnered with the African Borderlands Research Network (ABORNE) to strengthen research, policy and security approaches to border governance across Africa.
The partnership is being showcased at the 2026 Annual Conference of the African Borderlands Research Network, holding in Lagos from August 24 to 28.
The conference is themed “The Connected Borderlands, Socio-Cultural Integration, and the Centrality of Policy, Research, and Security.”
The forum brings together policymakers, researchers, security professionals, academics and other stakeholders to examine ways of building safer, more connected and resilient African borderlands.
Representing the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, at the opening ceremony, the Senior Policy Adviser to the Minister, Dr Kareem Olakoju, reaffirmed the strategic importance of effective border governance to Nigeria’s security and migration framework.
Olakoju stressed the need for stronger institutional partnerships to address the complex security, migration, mobility and development challenges confronting communities across Africa’s border regions.
He subsequently declared the conference open.
NIS Highlights Border Modernisation
The Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nanna Nandap, in her welcome address, highlighted Nigeria’s progress in modernising its border management system.
She recalled that Nigeria pioneered the use of electronic passports in Africa in 2007 and has since introduced enhanced e-Passports, contactless biometric passport services and Automated Border Control systems.
Nandap noted that borders should not be viewed simply as lines separating countries but as dynamic spaces where people, communities, economies and cultures interact.
She said Nigeria’s approach to border management also places emphasis on intelligence sharing, cybersecurity, surveillance, command and control systems, capacity building and research.
According to her, these measures are critical to developing secure, connected and resilient borderlands.
LASU, Lagos Government Back Research
The Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University, Professor Folashade Tolulope Ogunsola, said the university remained committed to producing research that responds to the realities of African border communities.
Ogunsola described borderlands as living spaces characterised by interaction, identity, mobility and economic and cultural exchange.
She stressed that effective border governance requires closer integration of academic research, field practice and government policy.
The Lagos State Government also expressed support for the conference.
Representing Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Hon. Tolani Sule Akibu, highlighted the importance of Lagos hosting the continental forum.
He said the state government remained committed to supporting platforms that promote research, regional cooperation and practical responses to migration and border-related challenges.
Experts Seek Stronger Research-Policy Link
Chairman of the ABORNE Chiefs, Professor Paul Nugent, and renowned border scholar, Professor Anthony I. Asiwaju, also emphasised the importance of connecting research with policy and practical border management.
Nugent called for evidence-based approaches to border governance and regional cooperation.
In his keynote address, titled “20 Years After CIUDAD JUAREZ: ABORNE Ship Berths in Lagos,” Asiwaju reflected on the evolution of African border studies and the significance of bringing the ABORNE conference to Lagos.
The conference is examining issues including migration, smart borders, digital identity, regional integration, policy, research and cross-border security.
The NIS said its participation in the forum reinforces its commitment to developing secure, connected and resilient border management systems while strengthening collaboration between government institutions, researchers and other stakeholders across Africa.
