Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has said it is feasible for the country to build a physical and technological barrier along its borders to prevent illegal entry and improve national security.
Musa stated this in an interview with the BBC, insisting that nations with longer borders than Nigeria’s have successfully implemented similar measures, describing it as a viable approach to tackling insecurity.
“Maybe we may not have physical walls all through, because there are areas where there are water bodies—you cannot put walls there. But there is technology that we can use, and it will be a systematic thing. Some might be this kind of technology where, once you cross, an alarm is set and we take action,” Musa explained.
“So, we are looking at it from all aspects. We know countries that have actually deployed something that worked for them.”
The Defence Minister’s comments come amid ongoing national debates about border control and terrorism, with increasing calls for more decisive measures to secure Nigeria’s boundaries against armed groups, smuggling, and irregular migration.
While full details of the proposed system—including cost, timeline, and technological specifications—were not disclosed, Musa affirmed that the ministry is studying working models from other countries to adapt to Nigeria’s context.
The proposal is likely to stir further discussion among security analysts, civil society, and lawmakers, particularly regarding its funding, environmental impact, and effectiveness compared to other security strategies.
Currently, Nigeria shares land borders with Benin, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon—all of which have been points of concern due to arms trafficking, infiltration by insurgents, and other cross-border crimes.
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