Dynamics of borderland development in Nigeria since independence

Abstract

This paper examines the state of borderland development in Nigeria since independence. It discusses the condition of border communities across the country and states that borderlands generally experience neglect in terms of low level of infrastructure development, provision of social amenities, and the lack of job opportunities for their inhabitants. The paper discusses the policies and programmes formulated by government to address these issues and their level of effectiveness. The work queries the extent to which government border projects and initiatives have succeeded in ameliorating the plight of border communities. The paper maintains that a radical approach is needed to address the development challenges of border communities. Such an approach is expected to involve a synergy comprising the government, business, non-governmental and regional organisations focusing on different aspects of the numerous problems which borderlands in Nigeria face. The paper utilises both primary and secondary sources. It establishes that the neglect of the borderlands had colonial antecedent and the trend continued in the post-independence period. It recommends that the Nigerian government and her immediate neighbours need to urgently develop and implement effective policies that would promote the rapid development of their borderlands.

Keywords: Borderlands, Centre-Periphery, Development, Limitrophe, Nigeria