The Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA) in its bid to foster institutional collaboration, welcomed the National Conference Committee of the African Borderlands Research Network (ABORNE) for a strategic follow-up visit on Thursday, 26th February, 2026 at the Agency’s Headquarters in Abuja.

The delegation, led by Dr. Willie Eselebor from Lagos State University (LASU), was received by the Executive Secretary of the BCDA, Dr. George D. A. Kelly, FNIQS, alongside other top Management Staff. This visit serves as a follow-up to the initial engagement in February 2025, where the groundwork was laid for the Agency’s involvement in the upcoming 2026 ABORNE Conference.

During the meeting, the committee provided updates on the preparations for the conference, which is themed “The Connected Borderlands, Socio-Cultural and Centrality of Policy, Research, and Security.” Scheduled to hold from the 24th to the 27th of August 2026, and the event will bring together a global assembly of scholars, security experts, and policymakers to deliberate on the evolving dynamics of borderlands.

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary, Dr. George D. A. Kelly, FNIQS, expressed the Agency’s unwavering support for the initiative. He noted that the BCDA’s participation is strategic as it will provide a vital platform to showcase the tangible developmental strides the Agency has made in Nigeria’s Border Communities. He formally extended an invitation to the ABORNE delegation to participate in the Nigeria Border Security and Economic Development Summit 2026, which is being hosted by the BCDA in collaboration with the Office of the Vice President (OVP) in June 2026.

Dr. Kelly took the opportunity to brief the delegation on the significant milestones achieved by the BCDA under his leadership since his assumption of office in 2024. He noted that with the overwhelming support of Mr. President, the Agency has witnessed a tremendous improvement in its budgetary allocations rising from N2 billion to N50 billion. This enhanced funding, he explained, has empowered the BCDA to undertake a robust portfolio of over 250 developmental projects across Nigeria’s Border Communities.

Dr. Kelly underscored a critical shift in the Agency’s strategic vision, framing Border Communities not merely as frontiers to be secured, but as significant economic potentials and hubs of opportunity for national prosperity. Highlighting key achievements, Dr. Kelly detailed the Agency’s robust collaboration with critical stakeholders, including the 21 Border States, relevant MDAs, and international investment partners. A flagship example cited was the facilitation of a Meat Processing Plant in Maigatari, Jigawa State, where the BCDA successfully brought in a Chinese firm to establish a facility capable of processing over 200,000 tons of meat (cattle) annually for export. This project is expected to generate substantial economic benefits and create opportunities for the inhabitants of the Border Communities.

Furthermore, the Agency has awarded contracts for the establishment of Forward Operating Bases for the Nigeria Immigration Service and other sister security agencies in strategic Border locations such as Illela in Sokoto State and Cross River State, thereby enhancing the security architecture in these vital areas.

In conclusion, Dr. Kelly expressed his conviction that the forthcoming ABORNE conference will offer the BCDA an invaluable opportunity to share its successes on an international stage and forge new partnerships that will translate into direct and sustainable benefits for the people living in Nigeria’s Border Communities.

The Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA) is an Agency of the Federal Government mandated to provide socio-economic development to over 3,000 Border Communities, located in 105 LGA’s across 21 States of the Federation.

CHANGE OF DATE: THE ‘’NIGERIA BORDER COMMUNITIES SECURITY, ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT 2026.’’

The Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA), in collaboration with the Office of the Vice President (OVP), announces the change of date for the ‘Nigeria Border Communities Security, Economic and Development Summit.’

2. The Summit has been moved from its initial date of 9-10 February, 2026 to the final week of June 2026. The specific dates will be announced shortly.
3. This adjustments responds to requests from key domestic and international stakeholders. It provides state governments and local partners with additional time for preparation, while also accommodating the schedules of our international partners, including Chinese investors whose major festive period, the annual Chinese New Year, coincides with the original dates.
4. This shift is designed to ensure the broadest possible participation and the BCDA reaffirms its commitment to this crucial national dialogue on border security and development.
5. Further details will be communicated through our official channels.

The Executive Secretary of the Border Communities Development Agency, Dr. George D. A. Kelly, FNIQS, DSSR, has bagged the Nigeria Excellence Awards in Public Service (NEAPS) for “Excellence in Inclusive National Growth” 2025.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, represented the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, His Excellency BOLA AHMED TINUBU GCFR, at the event held at the Banquet Hall in the Villa on Sunday, 7th December, 2025.

The honours were also awarded to the Governors of Akwa Ibom, Kogi, Zamfara, Kano, and Adamawa; statesmen; professionals; businessmen; politicians; and presidential appointees who have distinguished themselves, among others.

Dr. George D. A. Kelly assumed leadership of the Border Communities Development Agency in March 2024 following his appointment by the President.

Under his superintendence, Border Communities Development Agency, has recorded exemplary achievements in its core mandate areas, including the execution of numerous intervention projects across different sectors such as education, healthcare, water supply, and road infrastructure for people living in border communities

The Executive Secretary/CEO of Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA), Dr. George D.A. Kelly, FNIQS on Thursday October 16, 2025, alongside a delegation of the Beijing G-Safety Technology Company of China paid a courtesy visit to the Director General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar and her Management Team. The meeting, held at the NEMA headquarters in Abuja.
The visit was aimed at having a tripartite partnership for the optimisation of emergency management systems in Border Communities/States and in Nigeria as a whole.
Dr. George-Kelly pledged the support of the BCDA, including financial aid, if such need arises. He stressed the need for inter-agency collaboration for the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President to be well delivered to the people.
G-safety of China is the biggest emergency, security and disaster management company in China and has its research and development unit domiciled with China’s number one university, Tsinghua University. ‘G-safety’ was one of the major companies responsible for setting up the emergency and disaster management systems in all provinces in China.
Areas of collaboration and partnership discussed during the meeting include: Sharing/ transfer of technology; Training and capacity building; modern disaster response/management technologies and border communities emergency management among others.

G-safety of China was impressed with the systems already put in place by NEMA and pledged to collaborate with BCDA and NEMA to optimise the systems and also support with gadgets, machines, technology and training.

The Executive Secretary/CEO of the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA), Dr. George D.A. Kelly, FNIQS, granted Channels Television an exclusive interview at the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja.

The discussion centered on BCDA’s mandate to drive development in Nigeria’s Border Communities, the pressing challenges faced by these communities, and the transformative strides achieved under Dr. Kelly’s leadership, with the support of the Renewed Hope Agenda strategy of Mr. President, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

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