The Federal Government of Nigeria has inaugurated the Nigeria–Benin Inter-Ministerial Committee and Technical Working Group, marking the formal commencement of negotiations towards a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Enhanced Economic Cooperation between both countries.
The inauguration ceremony, held recently in Abuja, represents a major step in strengthening bilateral trade, investment collaboration, and broader regional economic integration between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin.
Speaking at the event, the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, MFR, described the relationship between Nigeria and Benin as longstanding and deeply interconnected, rooted in shared history, culture, and economic ties. She noted that the close interdependence of both economies presents significant opportunities for trade expansion, industrial development, investment promotion, and shared prosperity, provided cooperation is guided by a structured and coordinated framework.
Dr. Oduwole explained that the proposed MoU is designed to serve as a practical, non-binding framework for collaboration in priority areas such as trade facilitation, investment promotion, industrial cooperation, customs and border management, standards and conformity assessment, value-chain development, and the formalisation of informal cross-border trade. According to her, the framework aims to enhance efficiency, predictability, transparency, and coordination in Nigeria–Benin economic relations.
She emphasized that the initiative reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening economic engagement with neighbouring countries, promoting orderly and legitimate trade, and advancing regional cooperation in line with Nigeria’s development priorities and international obligations under ECOWAS, AfCFTA, and WTO frameworks.
While acknowledging Benin’s membership of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the Minister clarified that the proposed MoU is not a free trade agreement. She stressed that it would not include tariff liberalisation or market access commitments, nor establish a free trade regime. According to her, the framework must protect Nigeria’s strategic industries, ensure reciprocity, curb trade distortions, and promote balanced and mutually beneficial outcomes.
Addressing members of the Technical Working Group, Dr. Oduwole highlighted the importance of their multi-sectoral composition and urged them to apply their institutional expertise to deliver technically sound, policy-consistent, and implementable outcomes. She also encouraged sustained inter-ministerial coordination and stakeholder engagement to ensure coherence in government policies.
The Minister assured the Committee of the full support of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, noting that the Permanent Secretary and relevant Directors would provide necessary administrative and technical backing. She formally inaugurated the Nigerian Technical Working Group and wished members success in their assignment.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ambassador Nura Abba Rimi, recalled key milestones that led to the inauguration. He noted that during the West African Economic Summit held on 21 June 2025, Dr. Oduwole and her Beninese counterpart, Ms. Shadiya Alimatou Assouman, signed an MoU to reinvigorate economic cooperation between both countries at the instance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the President of the Republic of Benin.
He also recalled the Minister’s official visit to Benin on 31 July 2025, during which both countries adopted a framework of reference for developing the current MoU. Ambassador Rimi disclosed that Nigeria has received the zero draft of the agreement, which will guide negotiations, and that the composition of Nigeria’s Technical Working Group has been formally communicated to Benin through diplomatic channels.
According to him, the Committee is mandated to negotiate a balanced and development-oriented framework covering trade facilitation, investment cooperation, customs and border management, standards, industrial collaboration, and other priority areas of mutual interest. He expressed confidence that the Committee’s collective expertise would deliver practical and strategic outcomes.
In her vote of thanks, the Director of Investment Promotion, Mrs. Gertrude Orji, commended the Honourable Minister for her leadership and strategic direction. She noted that the Minister’s address clearly outlined government expectations and guiding principles, particularly the need to align enhanced economic cooperation with Nigeria’s trade policy framework.
Mrs. Orji also praised Committee members for accepting the responsibility of national service and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to providing adequate coordination and administrative support to ensure the timely delivery of its mandate.
The event concluded with a collective commitment by stakeholders to promote Nigeria’s economic interests and strengthen bilateral cooperation with the Republic of Benin.
