News Investigators/ The Vice President, Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with the Republic of Benin, to sustain economic and democratic gains in the region.
Mr Shettima spoke on Sunday in Cotonou, during the inauguration of President Romuald Wadagni of the Republic of Benin.
He said President Bola Tinubu’s administration considers the Nigeria-Benin relationship strategic to regional integration and democratic stability within West Africa.
The vice president said both nations share a common destiny rooted in history, culture, trade, and collective responsibility for regional security.
” Our presence here in Cotonou underlines President Tinubu’s unwavering, deep-seated commitment to strengthening ties with our neighbours,” he stated.
Mr Shettima described the relations between Nigeria and Benin Republic as one built on centuries of social interaction, cultural affinity and economic interdependence that transcend political boundaries.
“Our border with the Benin Republic stretches across nearly 600 kilometres, spanning six Nigerian states, including Kebbi State.
” Our cultural and historical ties run deep—we intermarry, and our communities overlap. There are Yoruba people on this side of the border just as there are in Nigeria.
” Benin has a Borgu Province, while we have a Borgu Local Government Area in Niger State. We are essentially one people tied to a common destiny,” he said
He emphasised the need for both countries to continue to work together in promoting democratic governance, peace and economic prosperity across the ECOWAS sub-region.
“We must show solidarity, empathy and active support toward strengthening democracy in West Africa,” he added.
The vice president disclosed that trade relations between both nations currently hover around two billion dollars annually.
Mr Shettima said that approximately five million Nigerians reside in Benin Republic out of its estimated population of 15 million.
He stated that Nigeria and Benin Republic have deepened cooperation in border security, grassroots governance, trade facilitation and infrastructure development.
” In August 2025, both countries formalised grassroots cooperation through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
” The MoU aimed at strengthening collaboration among local governments, traditional rulers and border communities to tackle cross-border crimes and improve socio-economic ties.
” The agreement established direct cooperation between Nigerian border local government areas and neighbouring communities in Benin, particularly in border towns such as Seme, Igbokofi and Ilara.”
Mr Shettima said that the MoU had contributed to improving commercial activities, agriculture, infrastructure and local security coordination.
” It has also open new opportunities for businesses and residents operating across border communities.”
He said that both countries are also implementing regional trade and economic frameworks under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme and the Common External Tariff system.
This, according to Shettima, is aim at improving the business environment and accelerating regional economic integration.
“As ECOWAS member states, both countries continue to uphold the protocol on free movement of persons, allowing citizens to stay within each other’s territories for up to 90 days without visa requirements. ”
NAN
