The emergence of many Nigeria from colonial rule in the 60s brought grim prospects of widespread border conflicts. These fears were borne out of the fact that European diplomats who had only limited knowledge of local realities artificially forged most of the boundaries of African territories. Although many actually erupted in the immediate post-independence period and a few continue to crop-up here and there, determined efforts were made by African leaders in different fora, using diverse instruments to stem the tide. As a result of the efforts, many of the disputes were quickly brought under control. However, some of these disagreements continued for long to bedevil relations between neighbouring Nigerian states. This book consists of eight chapters. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cover page: 1

Title page: 2

Forward: 3

Table of Contents: 4

Chapter One: Boundaries: The African Perspective

11 colonial Heritage Perspective: 7

12 Principle of Intangibility: 7

13 settlements of disputes by peaceful means in an African framework 7

14 The changing character of boundaries from barriers to bridges: 8

15 vision of the African Union enhancing peaceful, open and prosperous

boundaries: 8

16 General Principles governing the boundary-making: 10

Chapter Two: Concept of Boundary

21 Introduction: 12

22 Definition of Boundary:

23 Administrative Boundaries: 12

24 Interstate Boundaries in Nigeria: - 12

241 Status of interstate land Boundaries: - 13

242 Maritime Boundaries of littoral states in Nigeria: 13

25 International Boundaries: 18

251 Definition: 19

252 Boundary making under British Occupation: 22

253 The Western boundary: 22

254 The Northern boundary: 23

255 The Eastern boundary: 23

256 The Southern boundary: 23

Chapter Three: European Imperialism and Creation of Nigeria-Cameroon

Boundary

31 Introduction: 25

32 Geography of the Nigeria-Cameroon boundary: 25

33 Germano-British Era evolution of the boundary: 27

34 Post German Era Colonial boundary instrument 1916-1946 30

35 British Adminstration and Obfuscation of the Nigeria-Cameroon Colonial

international boundary: 31

36 Terms of British mandate in Nigeria-Cameroon: 31

5

37 Implications of the interactive policy of Britain: 32

38 End of Trusteeship and independent Nigeria-Cameroon boundary 38

Chapter Four: Boundary Disputes

40 Introduction: 40

41 Causes of boundary conflicts: 42

411 The Geographical and constitutional positions: 43

412 Colonial legal issues: - 45

413 Demographic Issues: - 48

414 Politico-Stratic issues: - 49

415 Economic Resources endowment: The crux of the matter: 51

42 machinery of Conflicts resolution: 53

421 Interstate Boundaries: 53

422 International Boundaries: 54

43 The Role of the Surveyor: 56

431 The Surveyor as an Expert witness: 57

44 How International Court of Justice resolved the Nigeria-Cameroon

Conflict: - 59

45 Reactions from various segments of the Nigerian public : 61

451 Reactions of the Bakassi indigenous population: 61

452 Reactions of the Paramount ruler: 62

453 Reactions of Cross River Youth Assembly: 63

454 Reactions of the Nigerian Senate: - 64

46 Role of the international mediator in the management and implementation

of the ICJ’s decision: 65

Chapter Five: Boundary Treaties

51 Introduction: 68

52 Treatise, Conventions, Agreements, protocols: 70

53 Exchange of instrument of ratification: 70

54 Causes of poor implementation of treatise in Nigeria: 71

Chapter Six: Demarcation of Nigerian land and maritime boundaries

61 Introduction: 75

62 Nigeria’s maritime boundaries: 76

63 Definition of seaward boundary of a coastal state: 77

631 Definition of maritime boundaries zones: 77

64 Nigerian littoral states maritime zones: 80

Chapter Seven: Boundary making

71 Delimitation of boundaries: 82

6

72 The Negotiation process: - 86

73 The drafting of a boundary treaty: 88

74 The entry into force of a boundary treaty: - 89

75 Boundary making process: - 90

76 Essential information on boundary: 91

77 Lessons derived from the Nigeria-Cameroon demarcation process 92

Chapter Eight: Boundary Management

81 Introduction: 93

82 Maps as a demarcator tool: 94

83 The final boundary map: 96

84 Demarcation process: 97

841 General overview: 97

85 Preparing for Demarcation: 98

86 Boundary still matters: 107

87 Demarcation to improve delimitation: 107

88 Aims and Objectives of Demarcation: 108

89 Effects of unclear/inadequate demarcation: 108

810 Making the Boundary visible: 108

References: 110