pretts:
Thank you so much. I just PMed you.

gentlebullet:

I have replied

Bridie2:
Who wants to visit cotonou after the lockdown? If you are in...reply

aumeehn:
please sir check your mail. I also need your help on how to cross the border. Thanks

gentlebullet:

Sir, the only info I have about traveling to Cotonou at the moment is what I shared in my earlier comment.... I heard vehicles at mile 2 are faring passengers at a cost between 25k - 30k. Please, let's be clear with "I HEARD" I have not personally gone to Cotonou through that medium neither do I know anyone who did.... CHEERS

aumeehn:
lol i understand you sir. Thanks anyway. Stay safe.

Novartis:
I wanna run a post graduate program in a school in Cotonou starting in January, do I need to have an international passport before I can travel and school in Cotonou?

Because I’ve applied for passport since and it’s not yet out due to shortage of passport booklets in immigration, and my school program is starting soon

gentlebullet:

You do need your passport as an international student in Rep of Benin cos the school will have to get you documented with the authorities. The ECOWAS treaty only permits you to visit and stay for only 90 days at a time so a temporary resident permit will be processed for you by the school admin and that can only be done with your duly stamped passport.

Novartis:
But I have someone here who did a BsC program in Cotonou and he didn’t have his international passport when he started schooling, but processed it when he was in his 3rd year

So for 2 years he said he was using his school ID card to cross the border.

I don’t know if he’s lying or telling the truth, but is it possible?

gentlebullet:

You do need your passport as an international student in Rep of Benin cos the school will have to get you documented with the authorities. The ECOWAS treaty only permits you to visit and stay for only 90 days at a time so a temporary resident permit will be processed for you by the school admin and that can only be done with your duly stamped passport.

Novartis:
Understood sir!

By duly stamped passport, you mean passport that is both Stamped entry and exit stamps by Nigerian immigration and Benin Immigration? Or only the latter

gentlebullet:

Yes! Stamped out of Nigeria and stamped in at the point of entry into Benin.

Ghost0219:
please can you paste me your WhatsApp number or brief me on here bout accomadation in cotonou .am planning on relocating there

Yampotatocarrot:


Depending on bank, you also require a bank deposit. Lowest I've seen is 10,000CFA and one document called IFU (still don't know how to get that).

@Kenox, please any idea on cost of residence permit and how to get it over there?

Kenox:


I think it costs 20k cfa.

chukspro:
@gentlebullet
Please, help me out, I intend to relocate to benin. I found out that I need a certificate of residence and a residence card, please let me know how much does all of these costs and what are the requirements for getting it as they are required to open a bank account in benin. Are there other things needed for me to settle in benin. Pls do let me know ASAP pls. I have messaged you on twitter @iamgentlebullet but you are not available. Please drop me you WhatsApp or email so we can talk.
I do not reside in Benin Republic, I have no idea about the cost of residence certificate/card cos I have never processed nor applied for one before.
I have no idea of other things needed to settle in Benin Republic.

eroworld:
Please what does it take for a Nigerian to open a bank account in Benin Republic I want to use the account for business purpose while in benin republic.

Dotmax53:

I live and base in cotonou, there are several schools here which are deemed accredited in Nigeria, it depends on Ur course of study that will ease recommendation. Kindly state ur prefered course of study?

gentlebullet:

Sir, the only info I have about traveling to Cotonou at the moment is what I shared in my earlier comment.... I heard vehicles at mile 2 are faring passengers at a cost between 25k - 30k. Please, let's be clear with "I HEARD" I have not personally gone to Cotonou through that medium neither do I know anyone who did.... CHEERS

Declan1:

Do you have a low budget and planning to explore Benin Republic for leisure, vacation or business (Cotonou, Porto Novo) the sit of the greatest Agripreneurs incubation and training center founded in 1985 by name SONGHAI AGRIC CENTER or wish to extend your horizon to Togo post Covid 2021, here is how.
Benin Republic is a friendly African country, it ranked low on the list of Covid19 countries in Africa by the Centre for Disease Control- CDC but adequate Covid19 measures should be taken by all travellers at all times, I.e maintain social distancing, right use of face mask, hand sanitizers and proper washing of hands regularly.

Here is my experience with the warm and helpful people of Benin Republic on the road map to leisure, business and fulfillment of a dream on the go dated 22nd January, 2021.

ROAD MAP
Take a Bus from any where in Nigeria to Lagos (Mile 2), but if your bus stops you at Alafia/ Wema Bank Bus Stop close to Alaba, take a bus to Mile 2 at N100 naira only, when you drop off, look ahead and see the Pedestrian bridge with shelter and walk towards it, by the right lane you will see vehicles..buses and cabs/sienna loading Seme Boarder or Badagry.

To save money, join a bus calling Badagry for N800 naira while cabs charge N3,500-4,000 to Seme Boarder.
(NOTE: Coming back is N700 naira with bus)
For a first timer, please make sure you hold your Yellow Card and ECOWAS or INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT, do not help anyone to carry his luggage/bag and also watch your own bag in case of contraband during searching else you will be questioned severely and delayed at almost all the Joint task force checking points along the road, keep in mind your reason for going to Benin and show your paper when demanded without smiling at all else you keep tipping till infinity.
The road is undergoing some construction works and is rated 35% good and 65% bad.

When you get to Badagry park get off and join cabs calling SEME BOARDER for N500 naira only outside the park at the round about, they will stop you at CONOIL FILLING STATION by the right hand side else ask the Driver or any lady to point ConOil Filling station for you.
(NOTE: Coming back is N300 naira only by cab)

You will see many Bike/Okada guys calling you to come so they can cross you to the Benin side, please save yourself and ignore them and walk to the Boarder gate in front of you if you have your Passport/Yellow Card.

Without smiling walk past the different Joint task force check points 500meters to the Seme boarder gate but if you are called go and meet them and they may search your bag for contraband or ask for your Passport/ Yellow Card and reason for going to Benin, show the officers your Passport and enter through the First Gate by the right hand, keep going by the right hand side to the Second gate where the Nigeria Stamping section is first, where you may be searched again and asked same questions...after you give your reason and Passport for Stamping OUT, irrespective of your Passport been (New/Virgin or Old) I realized N500 naira only is charged for Stamping, make sure you have N500 naira change before paying it...insist on N500 naira for Nigeria and turn to Benin Immigration for Stamping IN at N500 naira too...total N1,000 naira for both.
(NOTE: You repeat this STAMPING Process when coming back to Nigeria)

After Stamping OUT/IN, you keep moving by your right hand side to the Benin Gate and other Benin Immigration will call you to search you and see your Passport/yellow card and ask same questions after which you are in Benin side now.

CHANGING NAIRA TO CFA
At the entrance now, you will see Money changers, I recommend you change it here with this trust worthy Exchanger MARCUS +2.2.9.9.6.5.5.7.6.4.4 call whatsapp.
You get the best daily rate at the Boarder than inside the city center because they are few and so monopoly, he will rechange CFA Francs to naira for you when you have excess after your business trip in Benin, so change the amount you wish to and keep some naira as Benin people also collect naira some times.
I exchanged Naira to CFA on the 22nd of January 2021 at 1.1CFA which is N15,500 naira to 17,000 CFA.
If you want to travel with huge cash I would recommend you open an EcoBank Account and get the ATM card which you would use to draw cash when you arrive Benin.

SIM CARD
Immediately you enter Benin your SIM card will automatically Roam itself to MTN Moov which is the official network in Benin but charges N100 naira per minute call or N50 naira per page for text messages.
But if you wish to buy the MTN Moov SIM card, I recommend you buy at Cotonou/Porto Novo at 300CFA (N272 naira) but it is sold at the boarder for 1,000CFA (N909 naira)

LANGUAGES
The Benin people speak French, Yoruba and little English but some speak fluent English.

CHEAP COMFY HOTELS
If you arrived late to Benin or have some thing to do in Cotonou or Porto Novo the following day, I recommend you lodge at the Boarder or go to Porto Novo and continue the following day.
Freedom Hotel is 3 minutes walk to Abobo Beach with good standard rooms, water, fan or AC and 24hours light, good room service starting @ (6,000, 7,000 - 15,000CFA, N5,454 /N6,363 Naira)

1. Freedom Hotel (3 minutes walk to the Beach where you get coconut water and fish)
Boarder, directly opposite NSIA Bank
Tony +2.2.9.9.7.6.7.3.2.2.5 call whatapp

2. Movic Hotel - Avakwa Junction, Porto Novo

3. Delta Force - Avakwa Junction, Porto Novo

4. Palace Hotel - Porto Novo

5. Freedom Palace Hotel - Porto Novo

Due to the Covid19, the Beach was completely empty, only fishermen and women were there.

ROAD TO TOGO, COTONOU
PORTO NOVO - SONGHAI AGRICULTURE CENTER
If you desire to go to TOGO, but Togo boarder is closed now due to Covid19 except illegal means of entry which I do NOT recommend.
Join a car from the boarder going to Cotonou at 500CFA N454 naira, stop at LAKONGI and enter TOGO motor at 3,000CFA N2,727 naira.

If you desire to go to COTONOU, join a car from the boarder going to Cotonou at 500CFA N454 naira.

If you desire to go to PORTO NOVO - SONGHAI AGRICULTURE CENTER, take a bike from the boarder and stop at the Round About (KEREEFU) at 300CFA N272 naira, left goes to Cotonou and right goes to Porto Novo, join Porto Novo Bus at 200CFA N181 naira or Cab 500CFA N454 naira to stop you in front of Songhai Center, they charge 500CFA for Farm Tour.
NOTE: Along this Porto Novo road is Avakwa Junction where 2 of those Hotels listed above are located while the last 2 Hotels are located after the bridge before Songhai Agriculture Center.

Do enjoy your stay as I did...

manikal:


Hello dotmax. Please how can I reach you

Trippleblessing:


when next are you visiting, I won't mind tagging along with some friends.

Declan1:
That would be very nice, but I have returned to Abuja my base.