Benin’s President Wadagni visits Nigeria for talks with Tinubu to strengthen bilateral ties

Romuald Wadagni, President of the Republic of Benin, traveled to Nigeria on Monday for discussions with President Bola Tinubu aimed at enhancing ties between the two neighboring countries.

The visit, which marked Wadagni’s first bilateral engagement since taking office on May 24, took place amid deepening economic cooperation between Benin and Nigeria. The two nations share one of West Africa’s busiest trade corridors.

According to a statement from the Beninese Presidency, the leaders’ talks covered economic and industrial cooperation, energy, maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, and regional matters, including the future of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Nigeria remains Benin’s largest trading partner, with the two countries linked by an 809-kilometer border and long-standing commercial and cultural ties.

The Beninese government reported that trade relations between both countries have continued to expand in recent years. It noted that Benin’s formal exports to Nigeria rose by more than 90 percent in 2024, while Nigerian investors have shown growing interest in the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone.

The government also cited ongoing cooperative initiatives such as the Sèmè-Kraké Joint Border Control Post, the West African Gas Pipeline, and the Benin-Nigeria Business Forum held in January.

The visit, held at Tinubu’s invitation, forms part of efforts by both governments to deepen bilateral engagement on economic and regional issues.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

See author's posts