Shettima Travels to Benin Republic to Represent Tinubu at Inauguration

Shettima Travels to Benin Republic to Represent Tinubu at Inauguration
Nigeria and Benin maintain strong diplomatic, economic, and security relations
ECOWAS stability remains important to Tinubu administration, Presidency says

Vice President Kashim Shettima has travelled from Abuja to Cotonou, the capital of the Republic of Benin, to represent President Bola Tinubu at the inauguration ceremony of Benin Republic’s President elect, Romuald Wadagni.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the trip was confirmed in a statement released on Saturday by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President.

According to the statement, the inauguration ceremony is scheduled to take place on Sunday, May 24, at the Presidential Palace in Cotonou, with leaders from across Africa and other parts of the world expected to attend.

The Presidency stated that Nigeria and the Republic of Benin have maintained strong bilateral relations over the years due to their shared history, cultural connections, and economic ties.

It added that both countries continue to collaborate on critical issues including border security, trade policies, and energy cooperation.

Nkwocha further disclosed that the Vice President travelled alongside senior government officials and aides for the official engagement and is expected to return to Nigeria after the inauguration activities.

The statement partly read, “Benin and Nigeria share deep historical, socio cultural, and economic ties, though their modern bilateral relations are frequently defined by border security, trade policies, and energy cooperation.

“Of importance to Nigeria is also the stability, peace and deepened integration of the Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS to which President Tinubu has remained committed to since assumption of office, despite its challenges.”