…Adeniyi pledges seamless border operations under new pact
Nigeria and the Republic of Benin have reached a key agreement on a joint trade framework aimed at dismantling trade barriers, boosting cross-border commerce and deepening regional economic integration.
The high-level meeting, which took place over the weekend at the Ministère de l’Économie et des Finances in Cotonou, brought together senior government officials, Customs chiefs and trade experts from both countries.
The framework is expected to serve as a blueprint for smoother trade relations and enhanced economic opportunities across the sub-region.
Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Jumoke Oduwole, hailed the agreement as a critical milestone in West Africa’s push for economic growth through stronger partnerships.
“This agreement signals strong political will from both countries to pursue a progressive and inclusive trade relationship,” she said.
Mrs. Oduwole recalled that the framework builds on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Presidents Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Patrice Talon during the West African Economic Summit. She noted that both leaders had directed their technical teams to turn political commitments into tangible actions.
“Our joint commitment is to dismantle barriers, improve logistics, and ensure that trade becomes a tool for job creation and regional prosperity. The Heads of Customs of both nations have demonstrated commendable synergy, which we are expanding through four thematic working groups covering trade facilitation, enforcement, data sharing, and infrastructure,” she explained.
She added that Nigeria aspires to transition from being a regional trade actor to a global voice advocating for fair and inclusive international trade systems.
Speaking on behalf of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi, assured that the Service would fully implement the outcomes of the new framework in line with Nigeria’s trade priorities.
“What we have witnessed today is the culmination of intensive technical meetings between Nigeria and Benin Customs officials over the past 48 hours. We’ve developed a joint framework that reflects our Presidents’ shared vision for economic growth,” he stated.
He disclosed that a formal MoU building on the framework is expected to be signed by the first quarter of 2026. Adeniyi also announced that new corridor-based solutions would be rolled out to streamline transit and transshipment trade while eliminating bureaucratic delays affecting small and medium enterprises.
“We’re committed to removing trade barriers that hinder local businesses. New trade corridors have been identified, and connectivity between our systems has already been activated,” he added.
The CGC further thanked his Beninese counterpart, Mrs. Adidjatou Hassan Zanouvi, Director-General of Benin Customs, for her steadfast cooperation and Benin’s support for Nigeria’s leadership bid at the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council meeting in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.
As part of the engagement, both delegations toured the Cotonou Port to assess port operations and identify areas for modernisation. They also visited the Seme-Krake Joint Border Post, reaffirming their commitment to coordinated border management.
The agreement is projected to mark a new era in Nigeria-Benin trade relations anchored on transparency, technology-driven processes, and mutual economic growth.
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