Tinubu Meets Benin President, Admits Lack Of Synergy Affecting Both Nations

President Bola Tinubu received his Beninese counterpart, Patrice Talon, at the State House on Wednesday. He said a lack of economic synergy is affecting both nations.

President Talon's visit came ahead of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Summit, which will take place on Dec. 10 in Abuja.

Speaking at the State House in Abuja, Tinubu said both countries share a lot in common. He stressed the need for better economic synergy between both West African countries.

"We are one. No other nation like ours should be worried. What is affecting us is a lack of synergy. We have not developed the necessary economic synergy that will develop our two nations. We must have common economic principles and priorities," the president said.

"The economic program you are developing through inter-ministerial collaboration is welcomed by me," Tinubu said. "We will support all of our private sector interests to facilitate prosperity in both of our important countries. I appreciate the urgency of your approach, and we welcome this."

"Thank you for your quality leadership. We are together. I am not a backward-looking person. I look forward. This is how I avoid missing steps," the Nigerian president added.

During the visit, Talon noted that Nigeria and Benin's relationship is crucial and he needs Tinubu's support to improve trade relations between both nations.

"Benin has started implementing a national development plan which includes enhanced integration between Nigeria and the Benin Republic. Our development plan includes taking into account what investments are required in Benin to enhance our integration with Nigeria in trade terms," Talon added.

The Beninese president said though many agreements were signed in the past to ensure better cooperation between the nations, they were not implemented.

"At the level of ECOWAS, we embrace free movement and integration, and at the African level, AfCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area) envisages this; so we need to move urgently to make this a reality. Our investment program must be revised to factor in all factors of the Nigerian economy," he added.

Talon sought Tinubu's support to set up an inter-ministerial technical committee that would jointly prepare a draft document for the legislatures of both nations. He also expressed his willingness to sign an executive order to appoint members of the council to accelerate cooperation across sectors.

Though there had been bilateral difficulties on the issue of smuggling, Talon promised his administration will work hard to coordinate and ensure that Nigeria's "interests are protected."

Nigeria exported electricity, refined petroleum and hot-rolled iron bars to Benin while it imported cranes, tug boats and seed oils in 2021, according to data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity.