Shettima Canvasses Deeper Nigeria-Benin Ties At Wadagni’s Inauguration

Shettima says Nigeria and Benin share common destiny rooted in history, trade and regional security.

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Sunday reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and deepening strategic partnership with the Benin to sustain economic and democratic gains in the region.

According to him, both nations share a common destiny rooted in history, culture, trade and collective responsibility for regional security.

Shettima spoke in Cotonou, where he represented President Bola Tinubu at the inauguration of President Romuald Wadagni.

The Vice President said the Tinubu administration considers the Nigeria-Benin relationship strategic to regional integration and democratic stability within West Africa.

He noted that Nigeria’s presence at the event reflected President Tinubu’s enduring commitment to solidarity and cooperation with neighbouring countries.

“Our presence here in Cotonou underlines President Tinubu’s unwavering, deep-seated commitment to strengthening ties with our neighbours,” he stated.

Shettima described the relationship 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.

According to him, both countries must continue to work together in promoting democratic governance, peace and economic prosperity across the Economic Community of West African States sub-region.

“Because of this, 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 $2 billion annually, noting that approximately five million Nigerians reside in Benin Republic out of its estimated population of 15 million people.

Shettima noted that Nigeria and Benin Republic have deepened cooperation in border security, grassroots governance, trade facilitation and infrastructure development as part of broader regional integration efforts under ECOWAS.

He recalled that in August 2025, both countries formalised grassroots cooperation through a Memorandum of Understanding 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.

According to him, the arrangement has contributed to improvements in commercial activities, agriculture, infrastructure and local security coordination, while opening new opportunities for businesses and residents operating across border communities.

Shettima further stated that both countries were also implementing regional trade and economic frameworks under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme and the Common External Tariff system aimed 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,” he added.