Niger–Nigeria border

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Niger-Nigeria border

The Niger–Nigeria border is 1,608 kilometres (999 miles) in length and runs from the tripoint with Benin in the west to the tripoint with Chad in the east.[1]

Description

The border starts in the west at Beninese tripoint in the

Hausaland, with Hausa speakers forming the majority on both sides of the frontier.[3]

History

The border first emerged during the

Oil River Protectorate (Calabar are the surrounding area) since 1884, would have priority in the areas south of the upper Niger region. From their respective bases both nations gradually extended their rule into the interior.[4] France has conquered the area of modern Niger in 1900; initially ruled as a military territory, it was later included within the federal colony of French West Africa (Afrique occidentale française, abbreviated AOF).[4] The British likewise extended their rule inland from their Lagos and Calabar bases, forming two additional colonies - the Southern Nigeria Protectorate and the Northern Nigeria Protectorate. In 1900 rule of these areas was transferred to the British government, with the Northern and Southern (including Lagos and Calabar) protectorates united as the colony of Nigeria in 1914.[4] Britain and France had signed a treaty on 5 August 1890, agreeing that their respective territories would be divided by a line from Say to Baroua near Lake Chad; this line was in general further north than the current border.[2] This boundary line was further delimited in 1898, 1904 and 1906, being finalised at its current location in 1910.[4] A series of beacons and markers were thereafter placed on the ground to physically demarcate the border.[2]

After the

Second World War
both Britain and France committed to the decolonisation of their African territories. As a result Niger was granted independence in August 1960, followed by Nigeria in October 1960, at which point their mutual frontier became an international one between two sovereign states.

In recent years the border area has been heavily affected by the ongoing Boko Haram insurgency in north-east Nigeria, resulting in flows of cross-border refugees and a general state of lawlessness.[5][6]

Settlements near the border

Niger

Nigeria

  • Dolé
  • Kamba
  • Kokoba
  • Maiyama
  • Rafin Tsaka
  • Nageda
  • Kangiwa
  • Kwalaye
  • Lema
  • Tagimba
  • Jimojime Sule
  • Tunugara
  • Ruawuri
  • Kalmalo
  • Kwashebawa
  • Djibia
  • Katsina
  • Dankama
  • Mai'Adua
  • Zango
  • Rogogo
  • Maribara
  • Baure
  • Babura
  • Maigatari
  • Galadi
  • Machina
  • Gumsi
  • Meori
  • Kurusalia
  • Njikilamma
  • Karagu
  • Margawa
  • Arege

Border crossings

There are numerous official border crossings, the main ones being Gaya-Kamba, Birni-N'Konni-Ilela, Dan-Issa-Katsina and Magaria-Mutum.[7][8]

See also

  • Niger-Nigeria relations

References

  1. ^ CIA World Factbook - Niger, 3 November 2019
  2. ^ a b c Brownlie, Ian (1979). African Boundaries: A Legal and Diplomatic Encyclopedia. Institute for International Affairs, Hurst and Co. pp. 445–69.
  3. ^ William F. S. Miles., Hausaland Divided: Colonialism and Independence in Nigeria and Niger, Cornell University Press, 1994
  4. ^ a b c d e f International Boundary Study No. 93 – Niger-Nigeria Boundary (PDF), 15 December 1969, retrieved 6 November 2019
  5. ^ Niger, Nigeria border governors meet to tackle border violence, News 24, 9 September 2019, retrieved 8 November 2019
  6. ^ UNHCR: Attacks in NW Nigeria Send Thousands Fleeing to Niger, News 24, 27 September 2019, retrieved 8 November 2019
  7. ^ Geels, Jolijn, (2006) Bradt Travel Guide - Niger, pgs. 46
  8. ^ Williams, Lizzie, (2012) Bradt Travel Guide - Nigeria, pgs. 57