The National Boundary Commission has reaffirmed its commitment to resolving the long-standing boundary dispute between Ekiti and Kwara states, saying the final definition of the 70-kilometre interstate boundary will improve security, facilitate infrastructure development and stimulate economic activities in the affected communities.

The commission disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday by its Head of Information, Press and Public Relations, Chinwe Udouwem.

Speaking at the Joint Meeting of Officials on the Ekiti/Kwara interstate boundary in Ado-Ekiti, the Director-General of the National Boundary Commission, Adamu Adaji, described the meeting as another milestone in efforts to resolve all outstanding issues along the shared boundary.

He explained that the current Ekiti/Kwara boundary was inherited from the former Ondo/Kwara interstate boundary and derives its legal foundation from Legal Notice No. 126 of 1954, which defined part of the boundary between the former Northern and Southern Nigeria.

According to Adaji, the commission’s intervention became necessary because of recurring communal clashes in the affected border communities, which have resulted in loss of lives, destruction of property, displacement of residents and prolonged tension.

“The National Boundary Commission remains steadfast in discharging its constitutional responsibility to peacefully define interstate boundaries and promote harmonious relations among neighbouring communities. Our objective extends beyond drawing boundary lines; it is about consolidating national unity, enhancing security and creating an enabling environment for sustainable socio-economic development,” Adaji said.

He said that although significant progress had been made over the years, two critical sectors remain unresolved: the Eda-Oniyo (Ekiti State)-Obbo/Aiyegunle (Kwara State) axis and the Erinmope (Ekiti State)-Imoji, Ilofa and Odo-Owa (Kwara State) corridor.

Adaji recalled that since 2002, the commission had convened several Joint Meetings of Officials, constituted Joint Field Teams and carried out extensive field-tracing exercises based on Legal Notice No. 126 of 1954, historical records, authenticated maps and relevant court judgments.

He added that the most recent technical meeting, held in Abuja in August 2024, resolved that digitised boundary maps be forwarded to both states for review, consultation and harmonisation before the final demarcation exercise.

Adaji, however, expressed concern that although the commission had transmitted the digitised maps to both states, it had yet to receive their harmonised reports, delaying the commencement of the final phase of the boundary definition process.

“The commission has fulfilled its obligations by producing and forwarding the digitised maps in accordance with previous resolutions. We are awaiting the harmonised positions of both states to enable us to proceed with the final definition and demarcation of the interstate boundary,” he said.

He explained that the current Joint Meeting of Officials was convened to review all outstanding issues, build consensus among stakeholders and agree on practical steps towards concluding the exercise.

Adaji urged the governments of Ekiti and Kwara states to continue supporting their respective State Boundary Committees with the necessary logistics and resources. He also appealed to affected communities to remain peaceful and refrain from actions capable of undermining the ongoing process.

He said the successful conclusion of the exercise would eliminate recurring disputes, strengthen security, improve governance, facilitate infrastructure development, stimulate economic activities and promote peaceful coexistence among communities along the interstate boundary.

The meeting was attended by the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Chief (Mrs.) Monisade Afuye, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Deputy Governor, Mr Adeleke Adefolaju, and the Deputy Governor of Kwara State, Mr Kayode Alabi, represented by Mr Ayontola Malomo.

Both representatives reaffirmed their governments’ commitment to a peaceful, lawful and mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining boundary issues.

Speaking on behalf of their respective governments, the representatives commended the National Boundary Commission for sustaining dialogue and providing a framework for resolving the dispute. They also pledged continued collaboration with the commission and appealed to affected border communities to remain peaceful and support the ongoing boundary definition exercise.