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UNTOLD IMPACTS OF NIGERIA’S LAND BORDERS CLOSURE POLICY ON BORDER COMMUNITIES, ECONOMY, AND SECURITY IN WEST AFRICAN SUB-REGION

In recent time, the Nigerian government shut its land borders with neighbouring states of: Benin Republic, Cameroon, Chad and Niger over what were observed to be; increase in smuggling activities, alleged security breaches, trafficking, incidence of illegal cross-border activities, undocumented migration, among others in the West African sub-region. However, the continual closure of these borders appeared to have affected the activities of border communities, regional and national economies. The study examines the reasons for shutting the borders; finds out the impacts of the closure on border communities, regional/national economies and security; finds out the reactions of border communities and neighbouring states; and interrogates the remedies to the problem. The study adopts a hegemonic stability theory to explain the phenomenon surrounding the closure while it employs quantitative and qualitative research methods. The paper in its findings therefore indicates that the state closed her land borders to forestall all illegal actions at borders involving: smuggling and human trafficking, illicit arms trade, undocumented migration among others. The study also reveals that the closure led to economic hardship for people in border communities, West African sub-region and the Nigerian state at large. The study therefore recommends that; there should be cross-fertilization of ideas on transnational economic, legal and security initiatives between the Nigeria and her neighbouring states to wage war against illicit activities at borders. The study however concludes that the border closure poses a major blow to pan-African moment having cut short all trade relations with other states; hoping that the policy would be very significant in protecting Nigeria’s political, economic and security interests.