Nigeria, Benin sign MoU to strengthen grassroots border cooperation
Written by Faith Utubor on August 22, 2025
Nigeria and the Republic of Benin have signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding on August 18, 2025, to strengthen collaboration between local governments and traditional authorities along their shared border.
The grassroots-focused agreement, aligned with AU and ECOWAS frameworks, seeks to tackle cross-border crimes, boost economic development, and revive cultural ties disrupted by colonial-era boundaries.
Signed under the Nigeria–Benin Cross-Border Cooperation Agreement, it empowers border communities and traditional rulers to play major roles in security, trade, and dispute resolution.
Implementation begins immediately, with pilot programmes set to launch in areas such as security, agriculture, and cultural exchange.
