How Jigawa Resolved 47-Year-Old Border Dispute With Niger Republic

It was a moment of jubilation and collective relief when Governor Umar Namadi presented certificates of farmland resettlement to Jobi community members, who had endured a land crisis for over 47 years stemming from a border dispute with the authorities of the Niger Republic.

During this protracted period of crisis, dozens of people lost their primary source of livelihood. Some died, while others were forced to migrate to distant locations, having lost everything at the hands of Nigerian local authorities.

Though the border communities belong to the same tribes, share a common culture, origins, intermarriage ties, and daily social and commercial interactions, the imaginary border dividing Nigeria and the Niger Republic has become a flashpoint for land conflicts between the two brotherly nations.

In border towns, particularly between Nigeria and Niger, it is common to find communities located on Nigerian soil. Yet, their graveyards and farmlands fall within Niger Republic territory, and vice versa.

In most areas, such issues do not provoke unrest. However, in communities like Jaudi and Kyalli, the situation has been a source of crisis, division, and conflict, sometimes resulting in loss of life and property.

The Jobi community, situated in the Maigari Local Government Area of Jigawa State, found that hundreds of hectares of their farmland fell within the area demarcated as Kyalli village in the Niger Republic. For over 47 years, local authorities in Niger repeatedly denied Nigerians access to their ancestral farmlands, harassing them and subjecting them to various extortionate levies.

The conduct of local leaders in Kyalli village toward Nigerian farmers drew the attention of traditional rulers, political leaders, and community members, who made several efforts over decades to resolve the impasse.

In 2019, I vividly recall visiting the area with the then-Member of the House of Representatives representing Gumel/Maigari/Gagarawa/Sule Tankarkar Federal Constituency, Hon. Sani Zoro, along with members of the House Committee on Border Community Affairs. The visit aimed to engage directly with communities in search of a lasting solution to the problem.

It was also reported that the Emir of Gumel, Dr Ahmad Muhammad Sani, had, on different occasions, dispatched delegations to the Niger Republic to seek a resolution to the crisis, but all efforts proved futile.

Upon assuming office, Governor Umar Namadi established a committee chaired by his deputy, Engr. Aminu Usman Gumel, to revisit the case and find a solution before it degenerates further.

The committee was given clear terms of reference and directed to engage all relevant authorities in Nigeria and the Niger Republic at every level.

At the conclusion of its deliberations, the committee offered various suggestions, including using an alternative grazing reserve, specifically Danmakam Forest Reserve, to resettle the community, which had been living in uncertainty regarding their chief source of livelihood, farming.

On July 22, 2026, the state governor, Malam Umar Namadi, led a delegation to a colourful ceremony that marked a landmark, lasting solution and a new dawn of self-reliance, dignity, and honour for the Jobi community.

The occasion signalled the end of the crisis as the governor personally launched the distribution of Certificates of Occupancy for farmland resettlement to dozens of victims of the border dispute.

The new farmland is located in Sule Tankarkar Local Government Area of the state, close and accessible to the beneficiary farmers of the community.

Alhaji Adamu Musa Maigari Jobe, a 68-year-old farmer, said the farmland resettlement had inspired new hope for a better future for him and his family.

He narrated that since the beginning of the crisis, he and other victims had lived in agony, disgrace, and uncertainty over their livelihood, as Nigerien local authorities sometimes denied them access to their inherited farmlands, particularly during the planting season.

“Some years they allowed us to farm, and other years they barred us from entering the farms. The crisis created uncertainty for many community members, forcing some to migrate elsewhere, even leaving the state in search of alternative places,” he said.

“Alhamdulillah, after years of untold difficulties, today our amiable governor has given us an alternative place. This has brought an end to this crisis and made us proud members of Jigawa State and Nigeria, with full dignity and self-esteem,” Maigari stated.

Malam Haruna Muhammed, a 65-year-old father of 18 children, was among those who benefited from the allocation of new farmland. He described the moment as an end to 47 years of disgrace, harassment, and intimidation endured by his community.

“Many of those who were around at the beginning of the crisis are no longer alive. They handed over the suffering to their children, who continued to struggle for a solution,” he said.

“The solution offered by Governor Namadi is the best and most sustainable. It will help maintain peace and order around our border communities. The crisis was over land, the main source of livelihood for both border communities. The dispute is now over in a peaceful process. We will continue to relate and respect each other, as the source of our conflict has been addressed forever,” he declared.

Speaking at the occasion, the Director-General of the National Boundary Commission, Surveyor Adamu Adaji, represented by Hajiya Yahanasu Aliyu, commended the Jigawa State Government for its foresight in providing such a lasting solution.

He described the Jigawa model as worthy of emulation wherever border disputes or farmland crises exist. “This process is simple and applicable,” he stated.

On the occasion, Governor Namadi affirmed that his government is committed to protecting the lives, property, and livelihoods of its people and to creating an enabling environment for them to live in peace and happiness.

“The new farmland we have allocated to the Jaudi community, in compensation for their land that falls inside the Niger Republic, is aimed at ensuring no one is left without a source of livelihood in Jigawa State,” he said.

“The resettlement is a result of concerted effort and commitment from our government and all critical stakeholders, particularly the committee headed by my deputy, His Excellency Engr. Aminu Usman,” the governor added.

Alhaji Buniya, a 55-year-old who also received his letter of grant, declared shortly after collecting it that his farming occupation would now be more profitable and could be expanded to generate more income for him and his family.

He noted that they had inherited the crisis but thanked Allah and the Jigawa State Government for bringing an end to the problems before they could pass them on to their children.

All members of the Jaudi community were visibly happy with the new development and fully prepared to commence clearing the newly allocated land.

The Jigawa State governor, his cabinet members, local government chairmen, and the Gumel Emirate were all seen beaming with satisfaction at having fulfilled one of the core mandates of leadership: protecting the lives, property, and dignity of their people.

Indeed, the land resettlement stands as a single action with far-reaching social, economic, and international political impacts, worthy of commendation and celebration by every patriotic citizen of Jigawa State and Africans at large.