By Abubakar Yunusa
Nigeria and the Republic of Benin have signed a landmark agreement to deepen bilateral cooperation and set a precedent for broader collaboration across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
According to the presidency, the countries signed the integration agreement on Saturday during the 2025 West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.
“In a defining moment for West Africa, Nigeria and the Republic of Benin have signed a landmark bilateral integration agreement to deepen cooperation and accelerate regional reforms.,” the statement reads.
“Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, signed the agreement, alongside Benin’s Minister of Industry and Trade, Shadiya Alimatou Assouman, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Shegun Adjadi Bakari, taking a bold step towards a more integrated, resilient region.”
The presidency added that the signing, which was witnessed by President Bola Tinubu and Benin Republic President Patrice Talon, signals a new era of unity and shared prosperity within ECOWAS.
At the event, Tinubu said West African countries must work in coordination if the region wants to achieve global economic relevance.
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