The National Boundary Commission (NBC) has reaffirmed its commitment to resolving the lingering interstate boundary dispute between Edo and Kogi states, following a high-level joint meeting held in Abuja.
The meeting, which took place at Lucy Hall, Bon Hotel (Elvis), Wuse II, was presided over by the Director-General of the Commission, Surv. Adamu A. Adaji. It brought together representatives from both states and key federal technical agencies to review progress and chart a way forward for the resumption of the stalled boundary monumentation exercise.
Leading the Edo State delegation, the Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Edo State Boundary Committee, Hon. Dr. Dennis Idahosa, reiterated the state government’s firm commitment to ensuring a peaceful, lawful, and technically sound demarcation process.
Idahosa stressed that the mutually agreed boundary alignment endorsed in 2006 remains a major milestone, providing a solid legal and technical foundation for concluding the exercise. He noted that the alignment was approved by the Internal Boundary Technical Committee (IBTC) using Legal Notice 126 of 1954.
He called for urgent action to address the challenges that previously stalled the monumentation process, particularly community resistance in some sectors, and urged an immediate resumption in the interest of affected border communities.
Technical briefings at the meeting confirmed that both Edo and Kogi states had earlier adopted the agreed boundary alignment. Monumentation had commenced in 2007 before it was disrupted.
The Commission acknowledged Edo State’s constructive engagement and sustained cooperation with federal authorities, noting that the boundary framework is already established and only requires completion of the monumentation process.
Key resolutions reached at the meeting include the provision of large-scale maps of the agreed boundary to Edo State by the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation and the Commission. The NBC will also interface with Edo State to arrange the early resumption of monumentation.
In addition, Edo State will embark on targeted sensitization and enlightenment campaigns in affected border communities in collaboration with traditional institutions. The Federal Government and the two states will jointly identify pillar sites ahead of full resumption of fieldwork, while adequate security will be deployed to ensure smooth operations.
The latest developments signal renewed momentum toward the final demarcation of the Edo/Kogi boundary, raising hopes for a lasting and peaceful resolution of the long-standing dispute.
