Beyond the Borderline: The Politics and Impact of Nigeria-Benin Border Closure

Most African borders are colonial legacies. In the post-colonial era, African states have pursued various multilateral and bilateral agreements to manage their borders peacefully and deepen regional economic integration, particularly through sub-regional frameworks like ECOWAS, SADC, and the EAC. These efforts aim to facilitate the free movement of people, goods, services, and capital while safeguarding national sovereignty. However, border closures remain a recurring phenomenon across the continent. This paper, based on a desk review and analysis of secondary data, examines the causes and consequences of border closures in Africa with a focus on the Nigeria–Benin case. While historically driven by disease outbreaks and diplomatic disputes, recent closures are largely motivated by national security concerns, including terrorism, human trafficking, arms smuggling, and insurgency. The paper finds that, despite their intended security benefits, border closures often have counterproductive effects, undermining regional integration, disrupting trade, increasing smuggling activities, and imposing severe economic hardships on local producers, consumers, and small-scale traders. It argues that border closures are an inadequate response to complex security and economic challenges. Instead, the paper recommends a shift toward smarter, technology-driven border management, enhanced regional cooperation in intelligence sharing, and strategic investments in domestic production and infrastructure as more effective and sustainable alternatives