The Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Benin signed a pact on Saturday to deepen bilateral integration and serve as a model for wider cooperation within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The agreement was signed during the inaugural West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) in Abuja, with Presidents Bola Tinubu, Nigeria and Patrice Talon of Benin in attendance.

Nigeria’s Jumoke Oduwole and Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu signed on behalf of Nigeria, alongside Benin’s Shadiya Assouman and Shegun Bakari.

President Talon described the agreement as a bold step towards genuine, practical regional integration and called for prompt implementation by ministers.

“President Tinubu and I have agreed on full integration between Benin and Nigeria. The task now lies with our ministers.

“Benin and Nigeria are more than twins—we are one people. Let us show that the region integration is possible,” Mr Talon said.

Mr Talon earlier called for urgent reforms to revive ECOWAS’ stalled regional integration efforts, saying the bloc is currently in crisis.

“ECOWAS once exemplified integration. Today, unfortunately, it is struggling to live up to its purpose,” he noted.

He cited the West African Gas Pipeline as a failed initiative due to persistent administrative hurdles and poor coordination.

“It is shameful. We are wasting resources. Our inability to cooperate undermines integration,” the Beninese president said.

Mr Talon disclosed that Benin currently sources gas from Qatar using a Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) because of the failures.

He also criticised the poor performance of the West African Power Pool, another stalled regional project requiring urgent revival.

“We invested heavily in this power infrastructure, yet it still fails to meet expectations. Without firm action, it may never succeed,” Mr Talon warned.

Addressing the Lagos–Abidjan Corridor, Mr Talon highlighted border delays and harassment as major barriers to smooth regional movement.

“The road is there. But a trader should not face harassment just to move goods from Lagos to Abidjan,” he stressed.

He warned that poverty is the most dangerous destabiliser in the region, threatening democracy, peace, and stability.

“Poverty undermines everything. Without integration that tackles poverty, our democratic values will ring hollow,” Mr Talon said.

Mr Talon referenced U.S. President Donald Trump’s protectionist trade stance, urging Africa to prioritise its interests in global trade.

“Trump’s policies remind us that countries protect themselves. We should too. Perhaps we’ll even thank him one day,” he said.

The Beninese president urged leaders to move from promises to concrete actions that can generate wealth, opportunity, and lasting prosperity.

“Without economic opportunity, our talk of liberty and democracy is empty. Integration must be more than words,” he said.

The presidents of Benin and Sierra Leone also delivered national addresses ahead of the 67th ECOWAS Heads of State session.

The Ordinary Session will take place on Sunday at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.

Other West African representatives delivered statements centred on advancing integration and regional prosperity.

Liberian President Joseph Boakai reaffirmed his country’s support for ECOWAS and regional blocs like the Mano River Union.

He stressed that removing trade barriers, aligning policies, and boosting regional competitiveness are key integration priorities.

Mr Boakai commended Mr Tinubu for convening the summit, calling it timely and essential for subregional transformation.

Sierra Leone’s president, Julius Maada Bio, also emphasised the region’s economic potential amid global economic pressures.

He pointed to public debt, climate change, food insecurity, and geopolitical instability as urgent reasons to pursue integration.

“Unlocking this potential demands commitment to deeper regional integration and economic cooperation,” Mr Bio stated.

He encouraged full participation in ECOWAS initiatives, such as the Trade Liberalisation Scheme and the Common External Tariff.

“These schemes help harmonise trade policies and cut tariffs — essential steps towards stronger regional trade,” he said.

UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and WTO chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala shared recorded goodwill messages with participants.

(NAN)