Nigeria, Benin Share Common Destiny, Deepen Strategic Partnership – Shettima

Nigeria, Benin Share Common Destiny, Deepen Strategic Partnership – Shettima

By: Zagazola Makama

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with the Republic of Benin, describing both countries as partners bound by a “common destiny” rooted in history, trade and regional security.

Shettima stated this on Sunday in Cotonou during the inauguration of Benin’s President Romuald Wadagni, where he represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Vice-President said the Tinubu administration views the Nigeria–Benin relationship as strategic to regional integration and democratic stability in West Africa.

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

Shettima noted that both countries share deep cultural, historical and economic ties that predate modern political boundaries, stressing that communities on both sides of the border remain closely connected.

“Our border with the Benin Republic stretches across nearly 600 kilometres, spanning six Nigerian states… We are essentially one people tied to a common destiny,” he added.

He said Nigeria and Benin must continue to work together to promote democratic governance, peace and economic prosperity within the ECOWAS sub-region.

“Because of this, we must show solidarity, empathy and active support toward strengthening democracy in West Africa,” he said.

The Vice-President disclosed that bilateral trade between both countries stands at about $2 billion annually, while an estimated five million Nigerians reside in Benin Republic.

He said both countries had strengthened cooperation in border security, trade facilitation, grassroots governance and ae development under regional integration frameworks.

Shettima recalled that Nigeria and Benin formalised a Memorandum of Understanding in August last year to enhance collaboration among border communities, local governments and traditional institutions in tackling cross-border crimes and boosting socio-economic development.

He said the arrangement had improved security coordination and commercial activities in border towns such as Seme, Igbokofi and Ilara, while enhancing opportunities for residents engaged in cross-border trade.

The Vice-President also referenced ongoing regional economic frameworks under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme and the Common External Tariff system, aimed at improving the business environment across member states.

He added that both countries continue to implement the ECOWAS protocol on free movement of persons, which allows citizens to stay within member states for up to 90 days without visa requirements.

According to him, these initiatives remain critical to strengthening regional integration and sustaining peace and prosperity in West Africa.

Nigeria, Benin Share Common Destiny, Deepen Strategic Partnership – Shettima