…calls for unity as West Africa reflects on 5 decades of integration
President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening regional cooperation and confronting the pressing challenges facing West Africa.
He was speaking in his capacity as Chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government on Wednesday, during the 50th anniversary celebration of ECOWAS held in Lagos.
He called for renewed dedication to unity, economic integration, and the faithful implementation of agreed policies, warning that the region could no longer afford delays in turning commitments into action.
“With resolute leadership and collective will, ECOWAS can overcome its current trials,” Tinubu assured, pledging that under his chairmanship, the bloc would intensify efforts to address insecurity, economic hardship, and political instability.
Addressing the recent withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the bloc, following in the footsteps of Mauritania, which exited in 2000, Tinubu acknowledged the setback but stressed the importance of solidarity.
Themed “Stronger Together for a Brighter Future,” the celebration served as a platform for the president to advocate stronger regional ties, warning that West African nations lacked the scale to compete effectively on the global stage unless they stood together.
Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chair of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, recalled how regional integration efforts were hampered in the past by colonial legacies and linguistic divides.
Tuggar described ECOWAS as an “unsung hero” among Africa’s regional blocs, noting its pioneering funding mechanism and the community levy, which many now emulate.
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He cited achievements such as the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, the Abidjan-Lagos and Abidjan-Dakar transport corridors, the West African Power Pool, and the proposed African Atlantic Gas Pipeline as clear evidence of the region’s progress toward economic integration.
Despite the political exits of member states, Tuggar insisted that democracy was a process and expressed confidence in the eventual return of those countries.
“There is no other way for countries in our region but to rely on the larger internal market of ECOWAS for the size and scale required to drive down costs,” he stated.
Tuggar also reflected on the historical exploitation of West Africa during the Atlantic trade era and declared that the region would no longer be left behind.
He vowed that this time, the region would ride the wave of economic opportunity from a position of unity and preparedness, leveraging its collective talent and natural resources.
Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, also recalled the historic moment on May 28, 1975, when the ECOWAS treaty was signed in Lagos.
He paid tribute to Yakubu Gowon, the only surviving founding father of the bloc, and hailed the resilience and unity that have defined the community over five decades.
Touray highlighted key milestones such as the facilitation of free movement across member states, the adoption of a common external tariff, the development of regional infrastructure, and the establishment of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development, which has committed $4.5 billion to regional projects.
He also pointed to the bloc’s humanitarian response during pandemics and disasters, its support for gender equality and youth employment, and its deployment of peacekeeping missions in defense of democracy.
Asserting that ECOWAS was evolving from a union of states to a union of people, Touray emphasized the growing involvement of civil society and plans to establish the Economic, Social, and Cultural Council of West Africa.
He welcomed proposals aimed at improving governance, security, and integration.
While acknowledging current global challenges, including violent extremism, climate change, economic instability, and geopolitical tensions, Touray reiterated the importance of unity and collective action.
He disclosed ongoing efforts to maintain dialogue with the Sahel countries that had withdrawn and expressed hope that they would remain connected to the West African family.
Selma Haddadi, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, who represented the AU Chairman, described ECOWAS as a bold and enduring vision of unity.
She commended the bloc for acting decisively in times of crisis and for standing as a moral force in the region.
She also called for unity, urging member states to stay the course despite current setbacks.
