Nigeria and the Benin Republic have signed a significant agreement, a local-level Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to improve cooperation between communities along their shared border. According to a statement from the Director-General of Nigeria’s National Boundary Commission (NBC), Adamu Adaji, this agreement is a major step forward for the relationship between the two countries, focusing on strengthening collaboration among local governments and traditional leaders. The MoU was signed under the guidelines of various regional agreements, including those from the African Union and ECOWAS, as well as the existing Nigeria-Benin Cross-Border Cooperation Agreement.

The new agreement formally establishes a partnership between the chairpersons of Nigerian border local government areas, mayors of communes in the Benin Republic, and traditional rulers on both sides of the border. Its main goal is to protect border communities from the growing threat of cross-border crime. The MoU also aims to restore historical cultural connections that were disrupted by colonial borders, promote peaceful coexistence, and encourage good neighborliness. Adaji stated that this agreement will also help speed up the process of marking and defining the Nigeria-Benin boundary by involving local leaders directly, which is expected to ease tensions and resolve disputes peacefully.

Beyond security and peace, the agreement also highlights the vital role border communities play in economic development. It plans for joint projects in areas like trade, agriculture, infrastructure, and cultural exchanges to improve people’s lives and encourage regional integration, in line with ECOWAS goals. Adaji described the MoU as a practical, grassroots-level tool that fits with broader regional frameworks while addressing the daily challenges faced by people living along the border.

Local leaders from both countries have expressed strong support for the agreement. Idris Mohammed, who chairs the Baruten Local Government Council in Nigeria’s Kwara State, called the MoU a timely solution to long-standing issues, noting that people in the area have dealt with insecurity, trade disruptions, and cultural isolation for too long. Similarly, Joseph Ahoyo, the Mayor of Malanville Commune in the Benin Republic, emphasized that national agreements are often ineffective without participation from people at the local level. He praised the MoU for its unique approach of empowering local authorities and traditional leaders to actively shape the future of their shared border. Both sides confirmed that the agreement will lead to practical actions, such as establishing joint dialogue platforms and pilot programs focused on security, economic exchange, and cultural revival. These initiatives are expected to bring immediate benefits and reinforce the long-term goals of peace, development, and integration, signaling a new, positive chapter in Nigeria-Benin relations. By connecting national policies with local realities, the agreement serves as a model for community-driven cross-border governance for the entire West African region.