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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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President Bola Tinubu has appointed Hon. Magaji Da’u Aliyu as the Managing Director of the Sheda Science and Technology Complex, Abuja.
Naija News reports that the Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO) is responsible for conducting research and development in technology and for operating a nuclear research facility.
According to a statement on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu also appointed Engr. Adesayo Olusegun Michael as the Managing Director/CEO of the Board of Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA).
Other Board members of NEMSA appointed by the President include: Engr. Aliyu Abdulazeez (Executive Director, Technical); Ikechi Clara Nwosu (Chairman, South East); Zubair Abdur’rauf Idris (Member); Igba Elizabeth (Member-North Central); Sani Alhaji Shehu (Member–North East); Adeyemi Adetunji (Member–South West); Engr Emmanuel Eneji Nkpe (Member–South South) and Engr. Charles Ogbonna Asogwa (South East).
Similarly, the President nominated Amina Gamawa, representing Bauchi, and Abdullahi Muktar, representing Kaduna, as Commissioners to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
Onanuga added that the President has sent the names of the two nominees to the Senate for confirmation.
Details of Nigeria’s military collaboration with the United States have emerged, following heightened coordination after former US President Donald Trump re-designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) last October.
The move came amid allegations of Christian persecution in Nigeria, which the federal government has consistently denied.
Trump later threatened to deploy troops into Nigeria “guns-a-blazing” to eliminate terrorists targeting Christians, prompting President Bola Tinubu to send a high-level delegation, led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, to meet US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
“Hegseth assured us that the department is working aggressively with Nigeria to combat terrorism, but the details of engagement were not disclosed at the time,” a source familiar with the meeting said.
Days after the high-level talks, the US began intelligence-gathering flights over Nigerian territory using contractor-operated aircraft originating from Accra, Ghana,
Punch reported. On Christmas Day, the US launched strikes on two terrorist enclaves in Bauni Forest, Tangaza LGA, Sokoto state.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the “precision hits” were the result of intelligence sharing and strategic coordination under international and bilateral agreements.
Communities in Sokoto and Kwara states reported explosions, later identified as debris from precision-guided munitions (PGMs) fired by the US.
Officials revealed that the US requested a station in Nigeria to refuel drones after missions from Ghana, initially suggesting Lagos or Abuja, but the federal government proposed a north-eastern state hosting Nigeria’s drone operations.
An official said: “We’re not going to have boots on the ground. They will support Nigeria in equipment, intelligence, or advisory capacity, including training. This is not a combat operation.”
The station is expected to enhance logistical support and coordination between the two countries’ military forces
General Dagvin Anderson, head of the US Africa Command (AFRICOM), confirmed the deployment of a “small team” to Nigeria, sparking public interest.
As reported by TheCable: “AFRICOM has always collaborated with Nigeria. US troops have been present, but the scope of their assignment has changed to support intelligence and training initiatives.”
Christopher Musa, Nigeria’s minister of Defence, explained that the personnel are not combat troops but a small advisory team assisting in intelligence gathering and training.
An official also noted that the team played a key role in coordinating the Christmas Day strikes.
Kogi State Government temporarily closes markets and motor parks to enhance security operations against criminals The State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, said the closure affects seven local government areas, targeting logistics and movement of supplies for criminal elements Fanwo assures closure is temporary, to be lifted after successful completion of security operations
Lokoja, Kogi State – The Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo-led Kogi State Government has ordered the temporary closure of selected markets and motor parks in seven local government areas of the state.
The State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, said the markets and motor parts are being shut down to intensify and coordinate security operations in the affected areas.
Fanwo said the development is to help flush out terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements operating within parts of the state. As reported by Daily Trust, he made this known while briefing journalists on Sunday, February 8, 2026, in Lokoja.
He said the affected markets and motor parks are located in Lokoja, Kogi, Kabba/Bunu, Ijumu, Mopa Muro, Yagba West, and Yagba East local government areas of the state’s western district.
“The directive affects selected communities across seven local government areas of the state. “The measure is in support of ongoing clearance operations being carried out in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser and the heads of security agencies in Kogi State.”
According to Fanwo, the temporary closure is to cut off logistics, restrict the movement of consumables, and deny criminal elements. The commissioner also denied their informants access to food supplies and other forms of support during the security exercise. He disclosed that the closure was strictly temporary and would be lifted immediately after the conclusion of the security operations in the affected areas.
Recall that the Kogi state government shut schools in the state to enhance security for students amid rising threats. The state government emphasised proactive measures rather than reactive responses to avoid potential crises. The development comes amid calls for police decentralisation to empower local governments in tackling insecurity.
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