Diplomatic & Security Implications of Cross-Border Migration

International migration between Nigeria and her neighbours has been a source of concern in the formulation and articulation of diplomatic and foreign policy of the nation. The porosity of Nigerian borders has made it possible for unwarranted influx of varying categories of migrants from neighbouring states to enter the country either legally or illegally from such countries as Cameroon, the Republic of Niger, Chad and Republic of Benin. This research tries to explore the profile of migrants, the process of migration between Nigeria and her neighbours which are mostly francophone and also to explore the diplomatic and security consequences and impact of such cross-border migrations. It argues that insecurity, Islamic fundamentalism and declining degree of good neighbourliness may be partly attributed to the cross-border migration phenomenon of Nigeria and its francophone neighbours. The work concludes that cross-border migration has fundamentally altered the structure of the Nigerian environment with important implications for population growth rates, business, diplomacy and security.

Autorentext

Oyiwodu Aje-Oitu est diplômée en langue et histoire françaises et en études internationales, respectivement de la Benue State University et de l'Université du Bénin. Ses centres d'intérêt sont la diplomatie et la migration. Elle a participé à diverses conférences et ateliers destinés aux étudiants dans ces domaines.