Nigeria and Benin Sign Landmark Integration Deal, Paving Way for Greater West African Unity

Nigeria and Benin Sign Landmark Integration Deal, Paving Way for Greater West African Unity Nigeria and Benin Sign Landmark Integration Deal, Paving Way for Greater West African Unity
nigeria and benin republic credits getterz

The future of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is anticipated to be altered by the historic bilateral deal that Nigeria and the Republic of Benin inked to enhance economic cooperation and promote regional integration.

The agreement was formalized on Saturday at the 2025 West Africa Economic Summit (WAES), held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja. The summit brought together regional leaders and economic policymakers under the shared goal of promoting stability, resilience, and economic transformation across West Africa.

“Nigeria and the Republic of Benin have signed a landmark bilateral integration agreement to deepen cooperation and accelerate regional reforms in a defining moment for West Africa,” the Nigerian Presidency said in a statement. Many people saw the agreement as a template for upcoming multilateral interactions within ECOWAS.

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Presidents Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria and Patrice Talon of Benin attended the signing ceremony and reaffirmed their nations’ commitment to promoting regional unity and development.

Nigeria was represented during the signing by Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment. Shegun Adjadi Bakari, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, and Shadiya Alimatou Assouman, the Minister of Industry and Trade, both signed on behalf of Benin.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Tinubu underlined the importance of regional collaboration, saying that “if the region wants to achieve global economic relevance, West African countries must work in coordination.” To ensure that ECOWAS thrives in a rapidly evolving global economy, he emphasized the need for coordinated policies, integrated infrastructure, and a unified approach in trade and diplomacy.

According to observers, the pact may serve as a springboard for further political, economic, and infrastructure integration in West Africa, encouraging other member states to form such alliances.

With the region still facing economic inequalities, security threats, and outside shocks, this new agreement between Nigeria and Benin is a positive step toward a wealthier, strategic, and united West Africa.

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