Benin Republic President Holds Diplomatic Talks with Nigerian President Tinubu at Aso Rock

By Iyojo Ameh

President Patrice Talon of Benin Republic engaged in talks with President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday evening.

The primary focus of their discussions centered on fortifying trade relations between the two nations, underscoring the imperative of collaboration to propel economic growth across West Africa.

President Tinubu underscored the necessity for synchronized efforts between Nigeria and Benin Republic, likening their shared interests to conjoined twins and stressing the criticality of harmonized economic principles.

Emphasizing his support for Benin’s economic initiatives, Tinubu highlighted the importance of common economic principles and expressed readiness to nurture prosperity through collaborative efforts within the private sector.

Seeking President Tinubu’s assistance in augmenting trade ties ahead of the ECOWAS Summit, President Talon emphasized the pivotal role of stronger economic integration between Benin and Nigeria. He outlined Benin’s national development plan, emphasizing the intent to deepen ties with Nigeria, particularly in trade, and advocated for implementing existing agreements to foster mutual growth.

President Talon proposed the establishment of an inter-ministerial technical committee to facilitate cooperation across sectors and address bilateral issues, notably smuggling, with the aim of safeguarding interests while aligning their economies.

Quoting President Talon, “Our investment programme must be revised to factor in all elements of the Nigerian economy. We seek to set up an inter-ministerial technical committee that will jointly prepare a draft document for our legislatures. I am ready to sign an executive order to appoint members of the council to advance mutually beneficial cooperation across sectors.”

Acknowledging bilateral difficulties regarding smuggling, Talon affirmed commitment to coordinate efforts to safeguard interests amid economic integration. He concluded by expressing his eagerness to forge historic cooperation between the two nations.