The Senate Committee on State and Local Government Affairs has raised a high-level alarm regarding the systemic neglect of Nigeria’s border communities, revealing that many citizens are forced to cross into neighboring countries to access water, healthcare, and education.
Appearing before the Senate Committee on Appropriation on Monday, Committee Chairman Senator Binos Yaroe (Adamawa South) warned that the lack of basic infrastructure is causing a “crisis of allegiance,” where Nigerians in frontier areas feel more connected to foreign nations than their own.
Senator Yaroe disclosed that despite a special provision of ₦50 billion made in the 2025 budget to address these infrastructure gaps via the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA), the funds have yet to be released. This stagnation has left the agency unable to fulfill its mandate, leaving border populations vulnerable.
“Because we do not have facilities for them, our communities at the border sometimes give their allegiance to neighboring countries,” Senator Yaroe stated. “Some have to cross over just to get water or attend school. It is critical that we provide the necessary funds to stop this disconnect.”
The Committee also highlighted the growing tensions managed by the National Boundary Commission (NBC). Senator Yaroe pointed to the ongoing dispute between Bauchi and Gombe states as a prime example of how inadequate funding for boundary demarcation can lead to conflict.
The discovery of oil in the region has heightened territorial claims, with both states asserting ownership due to a lack of clearly defined borders. The Senator emphasized that without sufficient funding for the NBC to carry out professional demarcations, such disputes could escalate into broader communal crises.
Supporting the call for urgent intervention, Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno (Borno North), acting on behalf of the Appropriation Committee Chairman, noted that conditions in border states like Borno which shares boundaries with Cameroon project a “poor image” of Nigeria.
Senator Monguno emphasized that the harsh living conditions at the nation’s gateways are not just a humanitarian issue but a matter of national pride and security.
Key Legislative Demands:
Immediate Release of Funds: The Committee is calling for the prompt release of the ₦50 billion allocated for border development.
Enhanced Boundary Demarcation: Increased funding for the NBC to settle interstate disputes, particularly in resource-rich areas.
Infrastructure Priority: Urgent construction of schools, water points, and clinics in frontier villages to reinforce national identity.
