The National Boundary Commission (NBC) has renewed its efforts to permanently resolve the long-running boundary dispute between Ekiti and Kwara states, saying a final agreement will improve security, encourage infrastructure development and boost economic activities in communities along the border.
The commission made this known during a joint meeting involving officials from both states in Ado-Ekiti. According to the NBC, the exercise is aimed at settling the remaining areas of disagreement and bringing lasting peace to communities that have experienced years of tension.
Director-General of the National Boundary Commission, Adamu Adaji, said the meeting marked another important step toward completing the definition of the approximately 70-kilometre interstate boundary.
He explained that the boundary dates back to the old Ondo and Kwara state boundary and is based on Legal Notice No. 126 of 1954, which originally defined part of the border between Northern and Southern Nigeria before independence.
Adaji noted that the commission became more involved because repeated clashes in border communities had led to the loss of lives, destruction of property, displacement of residents and growing insecurity over the years.
According to him, the commission’s responsibility is not only to identify boundary lines but also to promote peaceful coexistence, strengthen national unity and create conditions that support long-term economic growth.
“Our goal goes beyond drawing maps. We want to build peaceful relationships between neighbouring communities while creating an environment where development can thrive,” he said.
The NBC revealed that although substantial progress has been made over the past two decades, two major sections of the boundary are still unresolved. These include the Eda-Oniyo–Obbo/Aiyegunle area and the Erinmope–Imoji, Ilofa and Odo-Owa corridor.
Adaji recalled that since 2002, the commission has organised several meetings involving both state governments, carried out field surveys and relied on historical records, official maps and court judgments to guide the boundary definition process.
He said another technical meeting held in Abuja in August 2024 produced digitised boundary maps, which were sent to both Ekiti and Kwara states for review and harmonisation before the final demarcation stage.
However, the commission expressed concern that it has not yet received the harmonised reports from the two states. According to Adaji, this delay has slowed down the final phase of the project.
He urged both state governments to complete the review process as quickly as possible so the commission can proceed with the official boundary demarcation.
The Director-General also appealed to both governments to continue supporting their State Boundary Committees by providing the necessary funding, logistics and technical assistance required to complete the exercise successfully.
He further called on residents of the affected communities to remain peaceful and avoid actions that could disrupt the ongoing negotiations.
According to the commission, successfully resolving the dispute will bring several long-term benefits. These include improved security, fewer communal conflicts, better governance, easier delivery of public services, increased infrastructure development and stronger economic activities across the border communities.
Representatives of both Ekiti and Kwara state governments attended the meeting and reaffirmed their commitment to reaching a peaceful and lawful resolution.
Ekiti State was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Deputy Governor, Mr. Adeleke Adefolaju, while Kwara State was represented by Mr. Ayontola Malomo on behalf of the Deputy Governor.
Both representatives praised the National Boundary Commission for maintaining dialogue between the two states and providing a structured process for resolving the dispute.
They also assured the commission of their continued cooperation and urged residents in the affected communities to support the ongoing exercise.
Officials believe that once the remaining issues are resolved, the long-standing boundary dispute will finally come to an end, creating greater stability and opening new opportunities for development, trade and investment in the affected areas.
