Boundary Mapping and Geodatabase Strategy for National Security Information System in Nigeria

Abstract

Boundary mapping is the delineation of the territorial limits of a state, country as a sovereign state and its political division and administrative framework under a constitution. The likely consequences of boundary uncertainty, errors and omissions and distortion include: disputes, conflicts and anarchy which are serious brewers of security breakdown if not effectively managed. In recent years, the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation (OSGoF) and National Boundary Commission (NBC) have been involved in the redefinition and management tasks of International and National boundaries of Nigeria. Some States of the Federation have attempted the demarcations of their local government area boundaries in order to provide the geospatial limits on the ground, but often led to skirmishes over disputed boundaries; whose adjudications are sometimes subjective. This problem exists because there is no definite geodatabase strategy for all boundaries’ related information, thereby rendering the physical extent of the country and states an amorphous status to be maneuvered by political leaders. This underscores the importance of boundary infrastructure as a key national security regulatory tool. This paper attempts an examination of boundary mapping and the requisite geodatabase strategy for creating and managing National Security Information System (NSIS) for Nigeria. Key geodatabase fields and records elements were identified and a sample geodatabase structure for managing boundary related security issues in Nigeria was developed using ArcGIS/ArcInfo platform. A total of 111 International boundary pillars distributed among the 20 states in Nigeria that have international borders were proposed. The study recommends the used of sub-meter resolution satellite imagery integrated with the existing NigNet CORS for creating an updated boundary, administrative and security base maps and information systems for Nigeria.