By Anamati Inyang, December 9, 2025
The Senate has approved President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request for the deployment of Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin as part of a regional peace mission.
The approval, which came during Tuesday’s plenary, was granted in line with the provisions of Section 5, Part 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which empowers the President to deploy the armed forces for peacekeeping operations, with legislative backing.
Senate President Sen. Godswill Akpabio, while announcing the chamber’s decision, said the expeditious approval was necessary to support efforts aimed at restoring peace, stability, and preventing a looming humanitarian crisis in the West African sub-region.
Akpabio noted that Nigeria, as a key player in ECOWAS, must remain committed to safeguarding regional security, especially at a time when threats to peace in neighbouring countries could easily spill over national borders.
President Tinubu, who currently Chairs the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, had earlier communicated the urgent need for troops to assist in stabilization of efforts in Benin Republic, following recent tensions reported in parts of the country.
Details of the operational timeline, scope of engagement, and troop strength are expected to be communicated by the Defence Headquarters in the coming days.
