Nigeria- Cameroon Boundary Relations in the North of Nigeria, 1914- 94

Abstract

This study looks at Northern Nigeria prior to the origination of the Court Case at The Hague in 1994. This research will review historical facts in context with the interpretations of Nigerian Boundary Commission before the commencement of the court case at The Hague. A retrospect of the facts will be made, in order that we understand the controversies that have ensued since the verdict on the case was made in 2001.The research will focus majorly on historical events before 1994. It will also discuss issues that concern the various boundary controversies in Northern Nigeria, through the facts on ground in Nigeria. The boundary crisis in Northern Nigeria correlates very much to the mistakes created by the colonial government.  The boundary problems in Northern Nigeria are as contending as the border issues that ensued between Nigeria and Cameroon in the South of Nigeria. Although, the oil politics embedded in the Bakassi Peninsula dispute may have elevated the crisis in the South above that of the North. It is important to revisit Nigeria’s boundary crisis in the North with Cameroon so as to properly put into context Nigeria’s case at The Hague. The North of Nigeria was as turbulent in terms of boundary problems as that of the South; it is within this context that a study such as these will be significant to academics. The undefined border with Cameroon in the North still lingers until this day.

Keywords: Boundary, Nigeria, Cameroon, Northern Nigeria.