Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima paid a working visit to Benin on Friday, where he held talks with President Romuald Wadagni focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in industrialization, economic integration and regional security. Leading a high-level delegation that included six Nigerian state governors, Agriculture Minister Abubakar Kyari and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin, Mopelola Adeola-Ibrahim, Shettima also toured the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ), describing it as a model for Nigeria’s plan to develop eight agro-industrial processing zones. He conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s greetings and emphasized the strong historical, cultural and economic ties between the two neighboring countries.
The two leaders also discussed regional security, with Shettima reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to working closely with Benin against terrorism and transnational crime. The visit builds on closer relations established after Nigeria deployed troops under the ECOWAS mechanism following the failed coup attempt in Benin in December 2025, before withdrawing them in January 2026 after the situation stabilized. Beyond security, the visit underscores both countries’ commitment to expanding their strategic partnership through investment, agricultural transformation, industrial development and deeper economic integration across the Gulf of Guinea.
