By MUHYIDEEN JIMOH

Nigeria and the Republic of Benin on Saturday signed a pact to deepen bilateral integration and serve as a model for wider cooperation within ECOWAS.

The agreement was signed during the inaugural West Africa Economic Summit (WAES), held in Abuja, with Presidents Bola Tinubu and Patrice Talon in attendance.

Nigeria’s Dr Jumoke Oduwole and Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu signed on behalf of Nigeria, alongside Benin’s Shadiya Assouman and Shegun Bakari.

President Talon described the agreement as a bold step towards genuine, practical regional integration and called for prompt implementation by ministers.

“President Tinubu and I have agreed on full integration between Benin and Nigeria. The task now lies with our ministers.

“Benin and Nigeria are more than twins—we are one people. Let us show the region integration is possible,” Talon said.

Talon earlier called for urgent reforms to revive ECOWAS’s stalled regional integration efforts, saying the bloc is currently in crisis.

“ECOWAS once exemplified integration. Today, unfortunately, it is struggling to live up to its purpose,” he noted.

He cited the West African Gas Pipeline as a failed initiative due to persistent administrative hurdles and poor coordination.

“It is shameful. We are wasting resources. Our inability to cooperate undermines integration,” he said, expressing frustration.

Talon disclosed that Benin now sources gas from Qatar using a Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) because of these failures.

He also criticised the poor performance of the West African Power Pool, another stalled regional project requiring urgent revival.

“We invested heavily in this power infrastructure, yet it still fails to meet expectations. Without firm action, it may never succeed,” he warned.

Addressing the Lagos–Abidjan Corridor, Talon highlighted border delays and harassment as major barriers to smooth regional movement.

“The road is there. But a trader should not face harassment just to move goods from Lagos to Abidjan,” he stressed.

He warned that poverty is the most dangerous destabiliser in the region, threatening democracy, peace, and stability.

“Poverty undermines everything. Without integration that tackles poverty, our democratic values will ring hollow,” Talon said.

Talon referenced former U.S. President Donald Trump’s protectionist trade stance, urging Africa to prioritise its own interests in global trade.

“Trump’s policies remind us that countries protect themselves. We should too. Perhaps we’ll even thank him one day,” he said.

He urged leaders to move from promises to concrete actions that can generate wealth, opportunity, and lasting prosperity.

Without economic opportunity, our talk of liberty and democracy is empty. Integration must be more than words,” he said.

Presidents of Benin and Sierra Leone also gave national addresses ahead of the 67th ECOWAS Heads of State session.

The Ordinary Session will take place on Sunday at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.

Other West African representatives delivered statements centred on advancing integration and regional prosperity.

Liberian President Joseph Boakai affirmed Liberia’s support for ECOWAS and regional blocs like the Mano River Union.

He stressed removing trade barriers, aligning policies, and boosting regional competitiveness as key integration priorities.

Boakai commended President Tinubu for convening the summit, calling it timely and essential for subregional transformation.

“This summit allows vital reflection, collaboration, and renewed dedication to West Africa’s economic transformation,” Boakai said.

Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio also emphasised the region’s economic potential amid global economic pressures.

He pointed to public debt, climate change, food insecurity, and geopolitical instability as urgent reasons to pursue integration.

“Unlocking this potential demands commitment to deeper regional integration and economic cooperation,” Bio stated.

He encouraged full participation in ECOWAS initiatives like the Trade Liberalisation Scheme and Common External Tariff.

“These schemes help harmonise trade policies and cut tariffs — essential steps towards stronger regional trade,” he said.

UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, and WTO Chief, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, shared recorded goodwill messages with participants. (NAN)