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Nigeria, Benin Sign Integration Pact
In a historic move aimed at redefining regional integration in West Africa, Nigeria and the Republic of Benin on Saturday signed a landmark agreement to deepen bilateral cooperation and set a precedent for broader collaboration across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The signing ceremony, held during the inaugural West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) in Abuja, was witnessed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria and his Beninois counterpart, President Patrice Talon.
The agreement, officials say, will serve as a template for actionable economic and political integration in the sub-region.
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, signed on behalf of Nigeria.
Representing Benin were the Minister of Industry and Trade, Shadiya Alimatou Assouman, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Shegun Adjadi Bakari.
According to a statement by Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Talon, while speaking at the event, hailed the agreement as a bold step forward.
“President Tinubu and I have agreed on full integration between Benin and Nigeria. The responsibility now lies with our ministers to implement it. Benin and Nigeria are more than twins—we are the same people. Let us show the region that integration is possible,” he said.
Talon called for urgent reforms within ECOWAS, warning that the regional bloc was facing a crisis of credibility and functionality.
“ECOWAS is a perfect example of regional integration. Unfortunately, our ECOWAS is in crisis right now,” he declared.
He cited the failure of key regional infrastructure projects, including the West African Gas Pipeline, which he said had been rendered ineffective due to bureaucratic inertia.
“It is ridiculous. This failure of regional cooperation wastes resources and undermines integration,” Talon said, revealing that Benin was now importing gas from Qatar via a floating storage and regasification unit.
Similarly, he lamented the poor performance of the West African Power Pool.
“We invested heavily in this infrastructure. But it is not functioning as expected. Unless we act decisively, I’m not confident it ever will,” he added.
Turning his focus to logistical bottlenecks along the Lagos–Abidjan Corridor, Talon criticised the persistent border harassment and delays that plague cross-border travel.
“The road exists. But a businessman should be able to travel from Lagos to Abidjan in hours—not days—without facing harassment at multiple checkpoints. That is not integration,” he stressed.
The Beninois leader warned that poverty remained the most potent threat to democracy and stability in the region.
“Poverty is the main threat to democracy, security, and stability. If we do not address poverty through integration, our values will remain hollow,” he said.
Invoking global trade tensions, Talon cited the United States’ protectionist shift under President Donald Trump as a wake-up call for African nations.
“The trade war should remind us that nations act in their interest, and so should we. At some point, we may even have to thank President Trump for that reminder,” he said.
Talon urged his fellow West African leaders to abandon lip service and take concrete steps to deliver economic opportunity for their people.
“If we cannot create wealth and opportunity, all our other values—democracy, liberty—cannot be sustained. Integration must be real. Integration must be delivered,” he concluded.
The summit, a precursor to the 67th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government scheduled for Sunday at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, featured remarks from several West African leaders and global officials.
Liberian President Joseph Boakai reaffirmed his country’s support for ECOWAS and regional bodies like the Mano River Union in reducing trade barriers and harmonising economic policies.
He commended President Tinubu, Chair of the ECOWAS Authority, for what he described as a “timely, strategic summit.”
“This summit offers a vital platform for reflection, coordination, and renewed commitment to the economic transformation of our subregion. While the challenges in the region are complex, they are not insurmountable”, Boakai said.
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Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio called for a deeper, more strategic push for economic integration amid global uncertainty and domestic vulnerabilities.
“This potential must be unlocked through strategic integration, particularly amid rising public debt, climate vulnerability, food insecurity, and geopolitical uncertainty,” he said.
Bio emphasised the need for political will to drive regional trade initiatives such as the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme and the Common External Tariff.
“Trade integration must start with a strong political commitment,” he noted.
He also expressed Sierra Leone’s support for a regional single currency to improve business confidence and reduce transaction costs.
“To deepen intra-regional competitiveness, we must accelerate progress toward monetary union. A single currency would reduce exchange rate costs, support price stability, and improve the business environment”, Bio said.
The summit also featured recorded messages from UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and World Trade Organisation Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
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The Vice Chancellor of Atiba University, Oyo, Professor Sunday Okeniyi, has enjoined the newly employed staff of the institution to develop the spirit of teamwork, respect, and discipline, which are the hallmarks of every successful institution.
Okeniyi disclosed this during the orientation programme for the newly employed staff of the institution.
While welcoming the newly employed staff, he also congratulated them on their successful appointment into the fast-rising institution. “Your joining us today is not by chance, but by merit, commitment, and the will of God. Atiba University is a citadel of learning and character formation, envisioned to nurture and produce men and women of excellence, integrity, and service. By becoming part of this family, you are now co-builders of this noble vision.”
The V-C said the orientation programme was a deliberate initiative of the management to formally integrate the new staff into the University system. “It is designed to give you a clear understanding of our mission, vision, core values, rules, and operational culture. Our goal is not just for you to work here, but for you to thrive, contribute meaningfully, and leave an indelible mark on the growth and transformation of this University.”
He explained that the university places a premium on academic excellence, innovative research, moral uprightness, and community development. These values define the identity and are the standards the staff must all uphold in their respective assignments—whether as academic staff shaping young minds or as non-teaching staff providing essential support services that make our work possible.
While admitting much needed to be done, Okeniyi said the institution has recorded remarkable progress within a short time. “The future we envision—a future of global competitiveness, leadership in innovation and knowledge, and impact within and beyond Nigeria—requires the collective commitment of every member of staff. That includes you. Your dedication, creativity, and professionalism are needed to propel us forward,” he said.
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This Is War, Kill Every Single One Of Them – Fani-Kayode Blows Hot Over Zamfara Mosque Massacre
Former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode has condemned the gruesome murder of five worshippers during an early morning prayer in Yandoto village, Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
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Speaking via his 𝕏 account, he insisted that the killers should be wiped out, adding that there should be no room for discussions or negotiations.
Fani-Kayode asserted that the killers are terrorists not bandits and described their actions as an act of war.
He wrote: “These are not bandits. Pls stop calling them bandits. They are bloodthirsty killers and terrorists and every single one of them should be wiped off the face of the earth.
“If our people cannot worship God in peace then we have nothing. No negotiation, no discussion, no ransom payments, no rehabilitation.
“This is WAR. Kill every single one of them, wipe out their blood line and decimate their communities and abodes. There is no place on earth for those that slaughter innocent civilians.”
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has accused Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of failing to address the escalating banditry crisis in the state.
Naija News reports that a deadly attack occurred on Sunday in Oke-Ode, Ifelodun Local Government Area, which left several residents and vigilante members dead.
Speaking via a statement on Monday, the Publicity Secretary of the party, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, described the massacre as “a despicable and senseless act.”
He blamed the governor for the insecurity situation in the state, noting that it is a monumental leadership failure.
Adewara said, “The gruesome videos of the casualties circulating online make it look like Kwara is now at war. Under AbdulRahman’s watch, terror is reigning, kidnappers are taking over rural villages, and nowhere is safe again.”
The opposition party faulted AbdulRazaq’s alleged silence and absence from the affected community, insisting that a responsible leader should have personally visited Oke-Ode to commiserate with victims’ families and give assurances of decisive action.
It further accused the governor of neglecting local vigilantes and security personnel “battling criminals in the bush,” while diverting funds to “footballers and entertainers outside the state.”
The PDP’s criticism comes amid rising concern in Kwara North, where repeated bandit attacks have forced residents to abandon farms, schools, and businesses.
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Nigeria @65: Atiku Knocks Tinubu’s Government In Strongly-Worded Independence Day Message; Details Emerge
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has praised Nigerians for what he described as “uncommon patience, endurance, and resilience despite living under suffocating socio-economic and security conditions”
In his Independence Day message to Nigerians, the opposition leader alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) administration had abandoned Nigerians to their fate
Atiku lamented that Nigerians were enduring pains from “raging insecurity, rising food scarcity, mass unemployment, and a dangerous climate of hopelessness all “compounded by the insensitivity of the APC-led administration
In an Independence Day message released by his media office, obtained by Legit.ng, Atiku lamented that Nigerians are enduring excruciating pains from raging insecurity, rising food scarcity, mass unemployment, and a dangerous climate of hopelessness.
The presidential hopeful accused the Tinubu administration of being insensitive to the plight of Nigerians.
Atiku declared: “It is tragic that in a country blessed with immense human and material resources, millions of our people have been reduced to refugees and beggars in their fatherland. Every responsible government holds the welfare and security of its citizens as supreme. But what we have today is an administration that has abandoned its people. Hunger is killing Nigerians, bandits are massacring communities, yet President Tinubu and his cabinet stand by, unmoved and uncaring.”
Furthermore, Atiku called on citizens not to lose faith, reminding Nigerians that the 2027 election provides a clear opportunity to reject bad leadership and reclaim the promise of a better tomorrow.
He said: “The beauty of democracy lies in the power of the ballot. Oppressed and battered as our people may feel today, they will have the chance to sweep away this inept government at the next polls. That is the power no cabal can take away from the people.”
At 65, Atiku noted, Nigeria remains “a giant moving painfully slow on feet of clay”.
The 78-year-old blamed Nigeria’s condition on “a direct result of decades of poor leadership and wasteful governance.”
He bemoaned: “Yet, he urged Nigerians to keep hope alive, insisting that with the right leadership, the country can still rise from the ashes of failed governance to reclaim its rightful place among the comity of nations.”
PRESS RELEASE
Nigeria @65: @atiku Hails Nigerians’ Courage, Blasts APC Over Economic Strangulation
Former Vice President of Nigeria and Waziri Adamawa, Atiku Abubakar, has paid tribute to the uncommon patience, endurance, and resilience of Nigerians who, despite living under… pic.twitter.com/cPnI9KzxrJ
— Paul Ibe (@omonlakiki) September 30, 2025
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