Kebbi-Segbana Border Cooperation to Boost Regional Trade, Says Tuggar.
By Caroline Ameh
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar (OON), has hailed ongoing bilateral efforts between Nigeria and Benin Republic as a historic step towards bolstering trade cooperation and establishing a major hub for regional commerce.
This was contained in a statement signed by Alkasim Abdulkadir, Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy to the Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wednesday in Abuja.
Speaking at a bilateral meeting held at the Segbana customs border post in Benin Republic, the Minister emphasized the significance of the engagement in advancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for strengthened economic ties between the two nations.
Accompanied by a high-level Nigerian delegation including the Governor of Kebbi State, Dr. Nasir Idris Kaura, and other key officials, Minister Tuggar highlighted the operationalization of the Kebbi-Segbana border as a crucial step towards fostering economic growth and prosperity.
The meeting, which saw representation from both Nigerian and Beninese officials, underscored the commitment of both countries to enhancing bilateral relations in alignment with the government’s 8-point agenda.
A key outcome of the bilateral meeting was the agreement to establish a project implementation working group within a short, medium, and long-term framework, facilitated through the revitalization of the Nigeria-Benin Joint Commission.
This initiative, aimed at promoting robust economic ties, is expected to complement existing efforts towards fostering economic cooperation between the two nations.
Furthermore, Tuggar used the occasion to address border frictions and ongoing efforts to repatriate Nigerian residents in the Segbana area of Northern Benin Republic. Stressing the importance of maintaining harmonious border relationships.
He advocated for mutually inclusive approaches to resolving clashes between Nigerian and Beninese communities along the border areas, in line with the government’s foreign policy objectives.
The meeting signals a positive step towards enhancing trade cooperation and fostering peaceful coexistence between Nigeria and Benin Republic, reaffirming the commitment of both nations to mutual prosperity and regional integration.
