President of Benin Republic, Patrick Talon, on Tuesday admitted that the current economic downturn in Nigeria was adversely affecting his country and other African countries.
According to him, Nigeria is the engine room of West Africa, calling on her to explore its non-oil sectors to increase its revenue profile being reduced by falling oil prices in the international market.
Talon, who was on a one-day state visit to Nigeria, said during a joint press briefing with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja after a closed door meeting, that Nigeria remained a big brother in Africa, noting that the country relied for too long on crude oil revenue to the detriment of other sectors.
Talon said that the discussion at the closed door meeting was on security and economy, assuring that his country was looking forward to re-activating the existing bilateral relationship between Benin and Nigeria especially in the areas of trade, economy, energy development and education.
According to him, Benin will work with Nigeria to end the current illegal trade going on between the two countries and enthrone thorough legal processes.
He said: “There is illegal trade between the two countries which is creating difficulties between the two countries.
He invited President Buhari to visit Benin Republic in order to enhance the cooperation between the two countries.
While thanking President Talon for the visit to Nigeria, President Buhari noted that the Republic of Benin has always supported efforts by the Lake Chad Basin Commission to address insurgency and other trans-border crimes in the sub-region.
He assured that Nigeria was committed to making West Africa Gas pipeline more efficient, promising Nigeria’s continued support for Benin particularly in the area of energy development.
