Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has raised a serious alarm over the nation’s porous borders, describing them as a major national security threat. He noted that kidnappers and terrorists are exploiting the weak border infrastructure to move freely in and out of the country. Speaking during a public hearing on the Nigeria Police Act, the minister revealed that the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) is critically underfunded, with less than ₦10 billion allocated for capital expenditure to secure Nigeria’s 4,024 kilometers of land borders and 85 official entry points.
Tunji-Ojo stressed that the current financial limitations have left the NIS incapable of fulfilling its mandate effectively. He drew a striking comparison to the United States before the 9/11 attacks, warning that without strategic reform and adequate funding, Nigeria remains highly vulnerable to internal and external threats. The minister further advocated for a review of the security architecture, including the restructuring or dissolution of outdated agencies and the empowerment of those that are essential to national safety.
These concerns align with the broader security reform agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which aims to modernize Nigeria’s internal security framework, ensure effective border control, and enhance institutional capacity to safeguard the nation.