LASU, Nigeria Immigration Service to Co-Host ABORNE 2026 Conference in August

Lagos State University (LASU) is set to co-host the African Borderlands Research Network (ABORNE) Conference 2026 in partnership with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS). The continental event will take place in August 2026 at the university’s Main Campus in Ojo, Lagos.

The ABORNE 2026 Conference will convene scholars, policymakers, and experts from across Africa and beyond to address key themes in border governance, migration, cross-border cooperation, and transnational development.

Earlier this week, the Vice-Chancellor of LASU, Professor Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello, mni, NPOM, inaugurated the National Working Committee (NWC) for the forthcoming conference following a courtesy visit by the committee members on Thursday, October 23, 2025. The event was held at the Vice-Chancellor’s Conference Room, Babatunde Raji Fashola Senate Building, LASU Main Campus.

The National Working Committee comprises leading academics, border management experts, and representatives of national institutions, charged with coordinating Nigeria’s preparation for the 2026 conference.

Present at the inauguration were Dr. Willie Eselebor, representing the African Borderlands Research Network; Professor Tunji Azeez, Alternate Chair; Professor Adewunmi Falode, Assistant Alternate Chair; Mrs. Saratu Ibrahim Abdulganiyu, Comptroller of the Nigeria Immigration Service; Mr. E. L. Anugwa, Assistant Comptroller General and Zonal Coordinator, Zone A; Dr. Tarfa Usman Farouk, Head of Cross-Border Cooperation, National Boundary Commission; and Mallam Isa Sadiq Abdullahi, Director of Planning, Intergovernmental and Community Relations, Border Communities Development Agency, Abuja.

In her remarks, Professor Olatunji-Bello expressed LASU’s readiness and excitement to co-host the international event, describing it as a milestone in the university’s growing global visibility.
“The ABORNE 2026 Conference provides an exceptional opportunity to deepen regional and continental cooperation on borderland issues,” she said. “LASU is proud to lead this initiative in partnership with the Nigeria Immigration Service and other national stakeholders. We are fully committed to delivering a bold, inclusive, and world-class conference.”

Following the inauguration, the National Working Committee held its first strategic meeting at LASU, where members discussed key planning milestones, thematic focus areas, and implementation frameworks. The session also reviewed Nigeria’s contributions to the ABORNE agenda and mapped out collaborative strategies among partner institutions.

In attendance at the inauguration were members of the University Management, including the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Professor Oseni Taiwo Afisi; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Oluwatoyin Enikuomehin; the Registrar, Mr. Emmanuel A. Fanu, represented by Deputy Registrar, Academic Staff Establishment, Mr. Samuel Otesanya; the Bursar, Mr. Said Babatunde Olayinka, represented by Deputy Bursar, Mr. Olabisi Yusuf; and the University Librarian, Dr. Omawumi Makinde.

The next National Working Committee meeting will be hosted by the Nigeria Immigration Service, reinforcing the shared commitment between both co-hosts to deliver a globally recognized academic and policy event.

The ABORNE 2026 Conference is expected to be one of the most significant academic gatherings in LASU’s history, further strengthening Nigeria’s position in borderlands research, governance, and continental cooperation.