Nigeria Has No Protected Borders, Jerry Gana Laments

A former minister of Information and Culture and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Prof. Jerry Gana, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately secure Nigeria’s borders as a critical step towards addressing the ongoing herder-farmer clashes, banditry and widespread insecurity in the country.

Gana served in various capacities under military and civilian governments, spoke in Abuja yesterday during the commemoration of the 2025 International Day of Peace and the 25th anniversary of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) on the theme: “Act Now for a Peaceful World.”

The one-time minister of Cooperation and Integration in Africa under the administration of former Olusegun Obasanjo, said, “Peace also stems from the strength and integrity of secure borders. Nations exist, in part, to protect human life — and without secured borders, that role fails. I am deeply disturbed that the Federal Republic of Nigeria has virtually no protected borders.

“Our borders are porous. People can come in anytime, any day, anyhow and do whatever they like. This is irresponsible and unacceptable, he said.”

Gana aligned his views with the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who recently advocated for urgent attention on Nigeria’s border security.

He said, “Yes, we have neighbours, but that doesn’t mean we should be constantly disturbed by external incursions. It’s not fair. Many communities suffer from regular invasions by armed groups and bandits who destroy lives and claim lands that are not theirs. This is a serious matter.”
He urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the federal government to prioritise border security, stressing that without it, insecurity will persist.

“Insecurity will continue to thrive in Nigeria unless our borders are properly secured. Peace and comfort will remain elusive if this issue is ignored.

“Peace leads to prosperity. Conflict, on the other hand, leads to immense suffering and brings out the worst in humanity. We must protect and defend the sanctity of human life — nothing is more precious than human life. Sadly, some people no longer regard life as valuable and take it without conscience,” Gana said.

He emphasised that injustice breeds conflict and warned leaders to act with fairness and integrity.
The former minister commended the leadership of IPCR for sustaining its mission of promoting peace advocacy, peacemaking, peacebuilding, peace studies and peace management.

He said the economic impact of violence is estimated at over $19 trillion.

“That’s $19 trillion wasted in lives, resources, and potential. Imagine what could be done with that kind of investment in development. Sub-Saharan Africa remains one of the least peaceful regions globally,” he asserted.

In his remarks, the director-general of IPCR, Dr Joseph Ochogwu, said, “Peace is a tangible and achievable reality when people are socially connected. Peacebuilding is not a one-time event — it is a continuous process that demands dedication, innovation and hope.”

He acknowledged the changing global landscape shaped by technology: “As we look ahead to the next 25 years, our approach must remain resilient. We must continue to innovate, adapt, and collaborate. Technology can help bridge divides, empower communities through dialogue, and ensure every voice is heard.”

Ochogwu praised the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for showing “unprecedented commitment” to addressing the root causes of conflict.