ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF BORDER MANAGEMENT INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK ON NATIONAL SECURITY IN NIGERIA
Grace Mutfwang, Ph. D
Volume 11 Issue 1
Abstract
The study investigates the impact of border management institutional framework on national security in Nigeria. Mixed research approach was used following descriptive design strategy. Coordinated border management theory was used as framework. A population of 90,214 was used for this study while a sample size of 398 respondents cutting across the Seme border posts and Nigeria-Cameroun border Gurin in Adamawa State and officers from the establishments designated for this study.The study employed purposive sampling and simple random techniques.The study used interview and structured questionnaire as instrument for data collection, frequency table and simple percentages were used as for data analysis.The findings revealed Nigeria’s land borders are traced to colonialism making them poorly defined and demarcated, vast, lengthy, and mountainous in nature thereby making it difficult for security agents to effectively control and manage. The results revealed that the ECOWAS Building and ECOWAS protocol, Migrant Information Data Analysis System (MIDAS) and visa permit are border management institutional framework that have been implemented in Nigeria. The study found porosity of border, inadequate manpower and logistic, poor motivation of security agencies, ineffective administrative structures and facilities, inadequate transportation facilities such as patrol van and power-bikes for security agencies at the borders of Seme and Gurin borders as common challenges. The study concluded that Nigeria’s land borders are a challenge to national security in Nigeria. The study recommends among others that the Nigerian Immigration Service should collaborate with the National Boundary Commission to ensure that Nigeria’s Land borders are well demarcated for effective border management through the setting up of boundary commission sub-offices at all borders in Nigeria, Nigerian Immigration Service should strengthen its institutional capacity by collaborating with International Organization for Migration (IOM) to ensure proper implementation of the MIDAS on all border check points and that Government should provide special allowances for security personnel deployed to Nigeria’s borders through budgetary provisions so as to curb the challenges hampering effective border management for enhanced National Security in Nigeria. Keywords: Borders, Institutional Framework, Border Management, National Security
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