Abuja: Nigeria and the Republic of Benin have officially commenced the implementation of an economic cooperation agreement that was first signed during the West Africa Economic Summit (WAES). Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, announced this development through a statement issued by her Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Dr. Magnus Eze.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the announcement follows a two-day meeting involving officials from both countries. The meeting was organized to establish a framework for the effective implementation of the agreement, which was initially entered into in Cotonou, Republic of Benin. This initiative aligns with the objectives of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed during the first regional economic summit held in Abuja in June 2025.
Amb. Odumegwu-Ojukwu commended President Bola Tinubu for his foresight in organizing the summit, describing it as a catalyst for regional economic growth. She also congratulated the Republic of Benin on its 65th independence anniversary, noting the evolution of bilateral relations from informal interactions to structured, strategic partnerships. These partnerships have been formed despite challenges such as trafficking, smuggling, and other trans-border crimes.
The minister emphasized the importance of cooperation and dialogue as tools for overcoming obstacles. She highlighted the recent efforts by President Tinubu and Beninese President Patrice Talon to deepen bilateral cooperation, particularly in trade and border management. These efforts, she noted, demonstrate a shared political will to resolve longstanding issues and pave the way for mutual prosperity.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu stressed the need for both countries to work together to ensure their border policies and procedures promote legitimate trade, encourage investment, and empower business communities. She called for the alignment of customs and transit frameworks to eliminate bottlenecks and reinforce a commitment to regional integration under ECOWAS and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The statement also mentioned that Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, presented the meeting’s resolutions concerning economic cooperation between the two countries. The cooperation covers trading services, private sector engagements, market access, customs procedures, trade facilitation, transport infrastructure, and storage. Technical working groups are expected to deliberate on these areas and submit their reports in Abuja.
The Beninese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olushegun Bakari, reiterated his country’s commitment to maintaining excellent and mutually beneficial relations with Nigeria. The meeting was attended by key officials, including Mrs. Shadiya Assouman, Benin’s Minister of Industry and Trade, and Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, among others.