Benin And Nigeria Will Deepen Their Economic Relations [GALLERY]

President of Benin Republic, H.E. Patrice Talon and President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu

President Tinubu receives in audience the President of Benin Republic, H.E. Patrice Talon, in a bilateral meeting at the State House, Abuja, on Wednesday

President Bola Tinubu notes that a lack of synergy between Nigeria and the Benin Republic has hampered mutual progress and that cooperation is essential for economic prosperity in West Africa.

President Tinubu remarked that Nigeria and the Benin Republic have much in common, comparing the two nations to conjoined twins connected at the hip, during his meeting with President Patrice Talon of the Benin Republic on Wednesday at the State House in Abuja.

“We are one. No other nation like ours should be worried. What is affecting us is a lack of synergy. We have not developed the necessary economic synergy that will develop our two nations. We must have common economic principles and priorities. The economic programme you are developing through inter-ministerial collaboration is welcomed by me.

“We will support all of our private sector interests to facilitate prosperity in both of our important countries. I appreciate the urgency of your approach, and we welcome this. Leadership is sometimes defined by urgent action. Thank you for your quality leadership. We are together. I am not a backward looking person. I look forward. This is how I avoid missing steps,” the President said.

Prior to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Summit, President Talon visited the State House to ask President Tinubu for cooperation in enhancing economic relations. He highlighted the importance of the relationship between his nation and Nigeria.

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He stated that the Benin Republic is aiming to establish closer trade relations with Nigeria, stressing the unrestricted flow of people and products between the two nations.

“Benin has started implementing a national development plan which includes enhanced integration between Nigeria and Benin Republic. Our development plan includes taking into account what investments are required in Benin to enhance our integration with Nigeria in trade terms. It is true that many agreements have been signed to push our integration forward, but they have not been implemented.

“At the level of ECOWAS, we embrace free movement and integration, and at the African level, AfCFTA envisages this; so we need to move urgently to make this a reality.

“Our investment programme must be revised to factor in all factors 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.

“There have been difficulties bilaterally on the issue of smuggling. We will work hard to coordinate and ensure that your interests are protected as we integrate our economies. I want us to make history together,” President Talon said.

See pictures and video of Benin Republic President H.E. Patrice Talon visit to President Bola Tinubu below: