ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria and the Benin Republic have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to empower local leaders in combating cross-border crime and restoring cultural bonds that span generations.
The agreement, finalised under the African Union Convention on Cross-Border Cooperation and ECOWAS protocols, brings together Nigerian local government chairmen, Beninese mayors, and traditional rulers from both nations. Officials say the initiative will enhance community resilience while curbing security threats.
In a statement on Sunday, Head of Information and Public Relations at Nigeria’s National Boundary Commission (NBC), Efe Ovuakporie, said the MoU was designed to “strengthen border communities against the menace of cross-border criminality while promoting harmony and neighbourliness.”
NBC Director-General, Adamu Adaji, described the pact as “a practical, community-focused framework rooted in the lived experiences of border residents.”
He warned, however, that “this MoU must translate into real change, not remain rhetoric.”
Chairman of Baruten Local Government in Kwara State, Idris Mohammed, said: “For too long, our people have faced insecurity, disrupted trade, and broken cultural ties. This agreement offers a beacon of hope.”
Mayor of Malanville Commune in Benin, Joseph Ahoyo, added: “National agreements set the tone, but grassroots engagement ensures success.”
The NBC confirmed that the MoU will also support boundary delimitation, peaceful dispute resolution, and joint initiatives in agriculture, trade, infrastructure, and cultural exchange.
“This marks a new era in Nigeria–Benin relations,” the Commission added.
