how true is that

6.5m Nigerians in Benin

Did you know that Nigerians and people of Nigerian ancestry account for more than 6 million, of the barely 10 million population of Benin Republic? According to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s envoy to Cotonou, Ambassador Lawrence Olufemi Obisakin, this revelation came from no-less a personality than President of Benin Republic, Dr Thomas Boni Yayi.

One of the 16 countries of West Africa, Benin is a strategic gateway to the sub-region and is important, among others, because countless Nigerians daily commute between their country’s western frontiers and places as far away as Senegal. Benin is also an important trading partner of Nigeria, even though the bulk of the commercial activities is informal and, therefore, goes largely undocumented.

Porous border and national security

Porous border and improper documentation of business transactions between Beninese and Nigerian merchants could be exploitated by money launderers as well as drug and weapons traffickers, with consequent unpalatable impact on the security of either nation. What is Obisakin’s take on this? “You may not be wrong. It’s one of the challenges and it is being tackled. But, it is principally a political issue. And, the border is important here.

“Proper management of the border is crucial, especially Seme Border. Once the construction is completed and the people supposed to be there, are there; then we would begin to address the security issue. There are two major groups you need at the border: Immigration and Customs. These are the people we really need. The others could be in the background. And, I’m glad to hear that the Minister Cordinating the Economy, Prof. Ngozi-Iweala, has said that she has started implementing that at Murtala Mohammed International Airport.

“As Pareto would say, ‘Once you resolve 20 per cent of the major problems, then 80 per cent of the minor ones could be considered solved. So, the 20-80 principle will apply, here”, Obisakin mused.

The equivalent of billions of dollars exchange hands annually through Nigerian importers and other merchants that use Cotonou’s Port Autonome. The bulk of goods imported through Port of Cotonou includes cars and edibles, such as rice, wines, spirits, poultry and vegetable oil. Other items are engine oil and used clothing alias okrika, like footwear, shirts, trousers, skirts, blouses and even underwear.

As a result, Cotonou Port has morphed into one of the busiest wharves in West Africa. As artery in and out of Nigeria, Benin Republic is also a factor in our nation’s security. Over the last three decades, Benin Republic has been attracting countless Nigerian merchants who flock the neighbouring country either as importers, clearing agents, traders or smugglers.

Cotonou, now academic Mecca for Nigerians

In the last 10 years, however, Benin has also evolved into an academic haven for thousands of Nigerian youngsters desparate for university admission. Such is the influx of our compatriots in Benin Republic that during a lecture on Conflict Management at Houdegbe North American University Benin (HNAUB), one of the many private universities in Cotonou, all the 28 students in that class were Nigerians!

onila: how true is that

6.5m Nigerians in Benin

Did you know that Nigerians and people of Nigerian ancestry account for more than 6 million, of the barely 10 million population of Benin Republic? According to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s envoy to Cotonou, Ambassador Lawrence Olufemi Obisakin, this revelation came from no-less a personality than President of Benin Republic, Dr Thomas Boni Yayi.

#dies

Yeah, tales by moonlight from someone who's been sniffing kai kai...Even the almighty U.S. with good economy don't have up to 6million Nigerians, then it's Benin... Akuko uwa, looks like some wake up one morning and brandish statistics right out their arse... just like that.

manny4life: Yeah, tales by moonlight from someone who's been sniffing kai kai...Even the almighty U.S. with good economy don't have up to 6million Nigerians, then it's Benin... Akuko uwa, looks like some wake up one morning and brandish statistics right out their arse... just like that.

US has better and tight border immigration laws

onila: US has better and tight border immigration laws

Even if Benin's Immigration laws is porous, 6million Nigerians ke? You sef check am na...Which country wants to be populated by immigrant? You know that population is enough to overthrow their govt should chaos arise...Abeg, that one na tales by moonlight.

It's very possible that 6million Nigerians and people of Nigerian ancestry live in Benin, If you know how many Nigerians travel to Cotonou daily you will not argue.

Arosa: It's very possible that 6million Nigerians and people of Nigerian ancestry lives in Benin, If you know how many Nigerians travel to Cotonou daily you will not argue.

Travel abi living in, which one?

Believe what you want, 6.5million Nigerians in Benin (about 10million) is not true...Shikena.

manny4life:

Travel abi living in, which one?

Believe what you want, 6.5million Nigerians in Benin (about 10million) is not true...Shikena.

Well for Nigerians to live there they need to travel there first. isn't it?

Arosa:

Well for Nigerians to live there they need to travel there first. isn't it?

If we're to go by your analysis, more than a good 5% or more Nigerian population travel to the U.S. annually, does that mean they reside in the states? Again, the article talked about "resident immigrants" NOT visiting immigrants... Thank you.

Another ploy for APC to start moving voters from Niger and Benin Republic

plus one because i am on my way to cotonou. soon, infact, sooner than expected, i will be taking my whole family to benin. this jungle is not worth it. this is the only country where elders cannot say one single truth. what is the fate of the younger generation growing under these liars? i thank God that soon, they will be dying twice like that other one that his dead body died in a plane crash.
thieves raising children, it is a very big shame. professors conducting shameful elections and elites descending to the lowest creatures. dogs abroad cannot do most of the things our so-called rulers do.
when a dog give birth, will it be goat? no, these criminals can only raise modern criminals.
good example is bamanga tukur who has produced a subsidy criminal and that one is sure to replace his father in the under world activities.
and such man is the chairman of pdp then someone some where is waiting for a credible election.
na tony annenih go give u credible election? okkkkkkkkkk, na bode george and alams will save nigeria.

When somebody has no clue about something,he always thinks that his gut feeling is the truth.
If that useless Berlin conference had not drawn those arbitrary lines,
There would have been only one country stretching from the borders of the Benin kingdom and as far as Togo
Recognising ,
The borders of the oyo empire and kingdoms of the the children of odua.
Yes ,
there are millions of yorubas in Benin and Togo and yes,
There are millions of beninoise and Togolese in yorubaland who are closer ,and
have more ancestral and traditional rights than almost every other ethnic groups In nigeria,
apart from those who share direct family trees.