President Bola Tinubu has formally sought the Nigerian Senate’s consent to deploy troops to the Republic of Benin, citing an urgent request from Benin’s government for air support following an attempted unconstitutional seizure of power.
The president’s letter, dated December 8, 2025, was read on the floor of the Senate during plenary on Tuesday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In the communication, Tinubu invoked Section 5, Subsection 5, Part 2 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), stating: “Pursuant to Section 5, Subsection 5, Part 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended… I seek, in further consultation with the National Defence Council, the consent of the senate, for the deployment of Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin.” He emphasized that the move responds to Benin’s appeal for “the exceptional and immediate provision of air support by the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” amid reports of disruption and destabilization of democratic institutions in the neighboring country.
The request follows a failed coup attempt in Benin Republic, where rogue soldiers briefly seized a TV station in Cotonou, the economic capital, before being repelled by government forces. Tinubu noted in his letter: “The government of the Republic of Benin is currently faced with an attempted unconstitutional seizure of power and disruption and destabilisation of democratic institutions. The situation as reported by the government of Benin requires urgent external intervention.”
This development underscores escalating security challenges along the Nigeria-Benin border, including cross-border threats from criminal groups, smuggling networks, and potential terrorism that undermine trade, stability, and communities in both nations.
President Tinubu highlighted the fraternal ties between the two countries and ECOWAS principles of collective security, adding: “Considering the close ties of brotherhood and friendship which exists between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin, as well as the principles of collective security upheld within ECOWAS, it is our duty to provide the support as requested by the government.”
The deployment is framed as a peace mission to bolster Benin’s defenses, safeguard shared borders, and reinforce Nigeria’s regional leadership role, building on prior actions like Nigerian fighter jets dispatched on Sunday to counter the coup announcement.
Following the reading of the letter, Senate President Akpabio committed it to the Committee of the Whole for immediate action.
The full text of Tinubu’s letter, as read by Akpabio, concluded: “While it is my hope that the Senate will consider and approve this request expeditiously, please accept, distinguished Senate President, distinguished Senators, the assurances of my highest consideration and personal regards. Yours sincerely, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President, Commander-in-Chief, Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Approval is anticipated within the week, aligning with constitutional requirements for external military operations, though critics like Aisha Yesufu have raised concerns over the constitutionality of initial troop movements.
This development occurs against a backdrop of heightened regional instability, with Nigeria intensifying border security cooperation at hotspots like Seme and Jibia to address armed groups linking North-West and North-Central corridors.
If approved, the mission would expand joint patrols and counter-terrorism efforts, signaling deeper bilateral defense ties.
