By Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka in Abuja
Lagos is hosting leading researchers, policymakers and security experts this week as the Nigeria Immigration Service and Lagos State University welcome delegates to the 2026 Annual Conference of the African Borderlands Research Network, ABORNE.
The conference, running from August 24th to 28th, is centered on _“The Connected Borderlands”_ and seeks to bridge the gap between research, policy and practice in the governance of Africa’s border regions.
In his keynote, distinguished border scholar Prof. Anthony I. Asiwaju, titled _“20 Years After CIUDAD JUAREZ: ABORNE Ship Berths in Lagos,”_ reflected on the evolution of African border studies and the significance of bringing ABORNE to Nigeria.
ABORNE Chairman, Prof. Paul Nugent, emphasized the need for evidence-based approaches to border governance and stronger regional cooperation to address mobility and security challenges.
Representing the Minister of Interior, Dr. Kareem Olakoju said Nigeria recognizes border governance as central to national security and migration management, and called for deeper collaboration among African states.
CG Kemi Nandap noted that Nigeria’s border strategy now goes beyond physical barriers to include digital identity, smart borders, surveillance, command and control, and research-driven policy.
Prof. Ogunsola of LASU and the Lagos State Government, represented by Hon. Tolani Akibu, both stressed that borderlands must be seen as living spaces of interaction, identity and exchange, not just security corridors.
The four-day forum will examine smart borders, digital identity, migration, and cross-border security, with NIS reiterating its resolve to promote border management that is secure, connected and resilient.
