Group Calls For Establishment Of Permanent Nigeria-Benin Joint Commission

The Nigerian and Beninese Advocacy Group has called for the establishment of the Nigeria and Benin Republic Permanent Joint Commission (NBPJC) to further strengthen the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and the Benin Republic.

Arising from its bilateral consultative and dialogue meeting held at Fam Embassy Suites in Badagry, Lagos, on Thursday, the group concluded that the time has come for the two countries to officially establish the joint commission.

Ambassador Kayode Oguntuase, the former Nigerian Ambassador to the Benin Republic and Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Nigerian Advocacy Group said that the meeting was conveyed to raise awareness.

He stressed the urgent need for establishing the commission for the benefit of the people of the two countries; and more importantly, to motivate, and urge the two governments to urgently to fast-track the establishment of NBPJC to create a strategic partnership between the two neighbouring countries.

‘’I address this August gathering intending to raise awareness and advocate for the establishment of a Permanent Nigeria and Benin Republic Joint Commission with this distinguished audience made up of top-ranking government officials of both Nigeria and Benin Republic, legislators, captains of industries, policymakers, eminent traditional rulers, scholars, researchers as well as border security personnel’s who have been extensively involved in promoting and advocating for improved, enduring and strategic relations between Nigeria and Benin Republic,’’ the chairman said.

According to the ambassador, the call for this commission started a few years back. On the 13th August 2021 in Badagry, Lagos, some Nigerian private economic stakeholders headed by Ambassador Kayode Oguntuase and Alhaji Nasiru Alasoadura, with other members of drawn from the six Nigerian states that share borders with Benin Republic, formed an advocacy group calling for the establishment of a joint commission between Nigeria and Benin Republic to be modeled both in structures and functions after Nigeria and Niger Republic Permanent Joint Commission which was established as far back as 1973.

The commission between the two nations is long overdue. The group believes the initiative is quite apt and important given the closeness of the two countries, as well as the existing political, economic, and social-cultural ties between Nigeria and the Benin Republic.

It hopes the current cordiality and collaboration between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Beninese counterpart, President Patrice Talon, will further accelerate the speedy establishment of NBPJC between Nigeria and the Benin Republic.

Since the formation of the Nigerian advocacy group, it has held various consultative meetings with key Nigerian Government Ministries and Agencies including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerian Import and Export Promotion Council, and the Development Agenda for the Western Nigeria (DAWN).

In the same way, the Beninese Advocacy Group has been formed in Cotonou comprising Mayors from the Local Government Councils sharing boundaries with Nigeria. Other members of the Beninese Advocacy group include; retired top government officials and captains of industries in the country.