ILLEGAL MIGRATION AND CROSS BORDER GOVERNANCE IN AFRICA: THE NIGERIA- CHAD EXPERIENCE

Abstract

Migration and cross border governance have been the subject of debate in virtually all countries in the world today and especially in Africa which resultant from the porosity of border specifically Nigeria- Chad border. This has caused a serious threat of security, economic retrogression, social and political backwardness as well as refuges influx. The objective of the research was however, to investigate factors responsible for migration in Africa taken into cognizance Nigeria- Chad situation. A qualitative method using content analysis was used for this study. It adopts multi- related theories thus, structural theory, functionalist theory and neofunctionalist theory was used for proper discussion. Findings revealed that absence or lack of clear demarcated boundary between Nigeria and Chad is the major cause of illegal migration. The research recommends that both Nigeria and Chad should collaborate to improving the porosity of border through bilateral agreement, joint- border surveillance, and regional integration mechanism towards curbing illegal migration.