Nigeria and Benin Strengthen Strategic Partnership

Nigeria and the Benin Republic are deepening their strategic partnership, as reaffirmed by Vice President Kashim Shettima during the inauguration ceremony of President Romuald Wadagni in Cotonou on Sunday. Shettima stated that both nations share a common destiny rooted in historical, cultural, and trade connections, and they are collectively responsible for regional security.

He highlighted that the trade relationship between Nigeria and Benin currently stands at approximately $2 billion annually, with an estimated five million Nigerians residing in Benin. The two countries are committed to enhancing cooperation in border security, grassroots governance, and trade facilitation as part of a broader effort to integrate the region under ECOWAS.

In August of the previous year, Nigeria and Benin formalized a grassroots cooperation memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening collaboration among local governments and traditional rulers to tackle cross-border crime and improve socio-economic conditions.