President Bola Tinubu on Monday received the newly inaugurated President of the Republic of Benin, Romuald Wadagni, at his residence in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The visit marked Wadagni’s first bilateral engagement with the Nigerian President since assuming office just over a week ago.
According to a brief statement issued by the Presidency, the Beninese leader arrived in Lagos and was received by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu before being escorted to Tinubu’s residence for the meeting.
The two leaders held a closed-door discussion that lasted for nearly 30 minutes.
Details of the meeting were not immediately disclosed by either side.
Wadagni’s visit comes days after his inauguration on May 24, 2026, following his victory in the presidential election held on April 12.
He succeeded former President Patrice Talon, ushering in a new administration in the neighbouring West African nation.
President Tinubu was represented at Wadagni’s inauguration ceremony by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The meeting is seen as an important step in strengthening diplomatic ties between Nigeria and Benin Republic, two neighbouring countries with deep economic, cultural, and security connections.
Benin Republic shares Nigeria’s western border and remains one of the country’s closest partners in regional affairs, particularly within the framework of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Both countries have maintained close cooperation in areas such as trade, border security, regional integration, and efforts to combat transnational crime in the Gulf of Guinea.
Tinubu also brings significant regional leadership experience to the relationship, having served as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government from July 2023 to 2024.
Although the outcome of the discussions remains undisclosed, analysts expect issues relating to regional security, economic cooperation, trade facilitation, and ECOWAS integration to feature prominently in future engagements between both leaders.
The visit underscores the importance of continued collaboration between Nigeria and Benin Republic as both countries work to advance regional stability and economic development in West Africa.
