May 23 (THEWILL) — Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Cotonou to represent President Bola Tinubu at the inauguration of the President-elect, Romuald Wadagni, as President of the Republic of Benin.
The inauguration ceremony will be held on Sunday, May 24, 2026, at the Presidential Palace in Cotonou, where Wadagni is expected to formally assume office before an audience of African leaders, diplomats and international dignitaries.
A statement issued on Saturday by Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, said Shettima would join other leaders across Africa and beyond at the ceremony on behalf of President Tinubu.
According to the statement, the swearing-in marks the commencement of Wadagni’s seven-year constitutional term as President of the Republic of Benin.
The Presidency disclosed that Wadagni’s running mate, Mariam Chabi Talata, would also be sworn in as Vice President during ceremonies expected to take place in Porto-Novo, the country’s constitutional capital.
Benin’s inauguration ceremonies are expected to follow the country’s traditional state protocol, including the official handover of power and transfer of presidential insignia at the Presidential Palace in Cotonou, followed by a ceremonial motorcade procession to the Charles de Gaulle Stadium in Porto-Novo.
The Nigerian government said the visit underscores the enduring diplomatic, socio-cultural and economic relationship between Nigeria and the Benin Republic, noting that both countries continue to maintain strong bilateral cooperation in areas including border security, trade facilitation and energy collaboration.
The Presidency further stressed that regional peace, stability and deeper integration within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) remain key priorities for President Tinubu’s administration amid evolving political and security challenges across the sub-region.
“Of importance to Nigeria is also the stability, peace, and deepened integration of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), to which President Tinubu has remained committed since assumption of office despite its challenges”, the statement read.
Shettima, accompanied by senior aides and top government officials, is expected to return to Nigeria after participating in the inauguration ceremonies and related diplomatic engagements in the Benin Republic.
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