Strategic Interagency Collaboration and Regional Stability: Lessons from Nigeria–Benin Border Governance

Abstract

The growing complexity of transnational security threats is rendering a standalone institutional approach to border management ineffective. Matters related to smuggling, illegal immigration, trafficking, illicit trade in weapons and other criminal activities transcend borders and demand the participation of multiple agencies in their resolution. In this paper, we will analyse interagency strategic collaboration to determine how it helps maintain regional stability in border management, specifically in the Nigeria-Benin border region. We are going to examine the influence of institutional collaboration, information sharing, joint operations, and policy integration on the efficiency of border control efforts. The research in the present paper follows a qualitative descriptive case study methodology and focuses on the governance of the Nigeria-Benin border. The data for the research were collected from secondary sources and analysed using thematic content analysis, guided by Collaborative Governance Theory and Strategic Management Theory. However, several issues, including institutional competition, disjointed administrative structures, insufficient technology infrastructure, and financial constraints, continue to compromise the effectiveness of cooperative initiatives. As a result, the study concludes that bolstering cooperative governance systems is crucial to fostering long-term regional stability and improving border management efficiency in the area.