SMUGGLING, BORDER ENFORCEMENT FAILURES AND DIPLOMATIC STRAIN: TRANS-BORDER SECURITY CHALLENGES ALONG THE NIGERIA–BENIN BORDER, 2015–2023

Abstract

This study examined smuggling, border enforcement failures and diplomatic strain along the Nigeria–Benin border between 2015 and 2023. It specifically investigated how smuggling as a trans-border security threat weakened diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin. The study was anchored on Regional Security Complex Theory (RSCT), which explains security threats as interconnected within geographically proximate states. A qualitative research design was adopted, relying exclusively on secondary sources, including ECOWAS documents, government publications, scholarly works, policy reports and publications of international organizations. Qualitative content analysis was employed to examine patterns of smuggling, weaknesses in border enforcement and their implications for Nigeria–Benin diplomatic relations. The study found, among other things, that persistent smuggling was sustained by economic disparities, price differentials, porous borders, corruption and weak enforcement; that disagreements over the control of illicit cross-border trade periodically generated diplomatic tensions; that unilateral border-control measures weakened mutual trust; that inadequate coordination among border agencies created opportunities for smuggling networks; and that limited ECOWAS operational coordination constrained sustainable management of the problem. The study concluded that smuggling along the Nigeria–Benin border was not merely a law-enforcement issue but a regional security challenge with direct implications for bilateral relations. It recommended strengthened joint border management, intelligence sharing, harmonisation of customs procedures, improved enforcement capacity and greater ECOWAS coordination.