By Azeez Ope Quadri 
17 Nigerian states share land borders with four African countries: the Niger Republic, the Benin Republic, Cameroon, and the Republic of Chad.
The 17 states that share land borders with foreign countries are Borno, Jigawa, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Yobe, Zamfara, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ogun, Oyo, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Cross River, and Taraba.
Fact: At least 1,894 unmanned illegal border routes into Nigeria exist, the chairman of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Border Security, Hon. Isa Mohammed Anka, disclosed in November 2025 while speaking in Abuja.
Below is the list of African countries and the number of states in Nigeria that share borders with them.
Niger Republic:
- Borno State
- Jigawa State
- Katsina State
- Kebbi State
- Sokoto State
- Yobe State
- Zamfara State
Benin Republic:
- Kebbi State
- Kwara State
- Lagos State
- Niger State
- Ogun State
- Oyo State
- Sokoto State
Cameroon:
- Adamawa State
- Akwa Ibom State
- Benue State
- Borno State
- Cross River State
- Taraba State
Republic of Chad:
- Borno State
Quick facts:
Borno State shares borders with three foreign countries, making it the highest in Nigeria.
The Benin Republic is the only country that shares borders with both Northern and Southwestern Nigerian states.
Similarly, Cameroon is the only country that shares borders with both Northern and South-South states.
In terms of insecurity, the state with the highest number of international borders -Borno – faces the highest spate of insecurity, including cross-border terrorism and mass abductions.
Implications of Nigerian borders with other African countries
Sharing a border with foreign countries is a double-edged sword: it comes with both benefits and threats. For instance, studies have shown that criminal activities such as cross-border crime, terrorism, insurgency, and banditry are rampant in states that share borders with foreign nations.
Regrettably, when criminal elements enter through porous borders like the ones we have in Nigeria, they penetrate inland states, as seen in the case of Kogi. Kogi State does not share a land border with any foreign country, but its neighbouring states – Kwara and Niger – have porous international borders.
In terms of cultural benefits, states such as Adamawa, Kwara, Ogun, and Lagos are beneficiaries of regional cross-border ties.
Economically, the borders boost trade in food products, livestock, and tourism, which is a major plus for Nigeria’s economy.
The border between Cameroon and Akwa Ibom, for instance, contributes to maritime activities and cross-border interactions, while the border between Cameroon and Cross River State serves as a gateway for tourism and trade.
At the time of publishing this article, there is a village very close to Ikom in Cross River State where travelers and local traders between Nigeria and Cameroon take motorbikes for entry and exit.
Furthermore, local farmers in Northern states such as Jigawa, Katsina, and Kebbi freely trade agricultural products with the countries they share borders with.
FAQs
Which Nigerian state shares the most land borders with foreign countries?
Borno State shares land borders with three African countries, making it the state with the most land borders with foreign nations. Meanwhile, Niger, Sokoto, and Kebbi states each share borders with two African countries.
Tosin Opeyemi 
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