Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has officially transferred the Chairmanship of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone.
President Tinubu handed over the reins of leadership during the 67th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS, held at the Conference Centre, State House, Abuja.
In a symbolic gesture, President Tinubu presented the ECOWAS chair emblem to President Maada Bio, assuring the community that the regional bloc would continue to grow stronger.
Delivering his closing address reflecting on his tenure, President Tinubu highlighted gains, acknowledged setbacks, and offered guidance for the future.
“As I now hand over the mantle of leadership to my great friend and dear brother, His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, the new chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, I do so with a deep sense of fulfillment and optimism for the future of West Africa.”
The President expressed strong confidence that, through the ongoing collaboration of all member states, ECOWAS will achieve even greater progress in its shared goals of peace, security, stability, and prosperity for the people and the region.
“I remain confident that with the continued cooperation of all its members, ECOWAS will scale over greater heights in our collective pursuit of peace, security, stability and prosperity for our people and for our region.
“In the course of the past few years, we have faced complex regional challenges, political transitions and security threats. I thank everyone of you.”
President Tinubu called on the regional bloc to strengthen cooperation, uphold diplomatic values, and promote inclusive growth that leaves no one behind, especially focusing on youth, women, and vulnerable groups, who are essential to the future of the region.
He urged more vigilance and responsiveness to the evolving needs of citizens of member countries.
“Our organisation must continue to strike a fine balance between its core regional mandate of economic integration and the complex political security and governance challenges, including democratic values in our region.
“Economic integration cannot be superimposed on an untenable political environment. That is why we must remain steadfast in our resolve to rise above and emerging challenges.”
Meanwhile, in his acceptance speech at the 67th Ordinary Session held in Abuja on Saturday, Bio said he was “humbled and grateful” to lead the regional bloc at a time of complex and urgent challenges facing West Africa.
“I accept this responsibility with full awareness of the magnitude of the task ahead and the complexity of the moment,” he said, pledging to uphold the values of peace, unity, and inclusive development.
President Bio paid glowing tribute to his predecessor, Nigerian President Tinubu, whose two-year tenure he described as one marked by “unwavering commitment to regional dialogue, economic recovery, and peacebuilding.
“I am humbled to build upon the strong foundation you have established,” he said, thanking Tinubu for his experience and leadership.
Bio noted that the region is at a historic inflexion point, beset by overlapping crises including insecurity in the Sahel and coastal states, terrorism, illicit arms flow, political instability, and transnational crime. He also decried the erosion of democratic norms and increasing pressures on constitutional governance.
“The democratic space is under strain in parts of our region. The constitutional order has been disrupted,” he warned. “Yet across West Africa, citizens—especially our youth—are demanding not just elections, but accountability, transparency, and a fair stake in national life.”
On the economic front, Bio cited persistent external shocks such as global inflation, food insecurity, energy shortages, and mounting debt as threats to regional stability. He also underscored the growing impact of climate change, including coastal erosion, floods, and droughts, which are already displacing livelihoods.
Despite these challenges, he emphasised that the region’s “vibrant and youthful population, abundant natural resources, and entrepreneurial spirit” provide grounds for hope and transformation.
To reposition ECOWAS as a more dynamic and responsive institution, President Bio laid out a four-point agenda to guide his chairmanship:
Bio pledged to constructively engage transitional governments and strengthen democratic institutions rooted in the rule of law.
“We must support member states in building stronger democratic institutions,” he said.
He called for a comprehensive overhaul of the regional security framework, including better intelligence sharing and a unified rapid response to threats.
“We must confront new threats with unity and resolve,” Bio stressed.
The new chair identified the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, regional infrastructure, and cross-border value chains as key tools for job creation and resilience.
“These must become engines of growth, especially for our women and youth,” he said.
Bio emphasised the urgent need for ECOWAS to reform itself to become more transparent, efficient, and accountable.
“This is how we will rebuild trust in regional cooperation,” he declared.
Capping his address with a call for unity and optimism, President Bio rejected the narrative of regional decline and instead envisioned a prosperous West Africa anchored in cooperation and moral clarity.
“West Africa’s future is not one of decline, but of possibility—if we act with courage, urgency, unity, and moral clarity,” he concluded. “Let us rise to the moment together, not as separate nations, but as a unified community of destiny.”
His speech was met with resounding applause from regional leaders, diplomats, and delegates gathered in Abuja, as ECOWAS ushers in a new phase of leadership at a time of critical transition and opportunity.
As ECOWAS looks toward a new chapter, the transition signals not just a change in leadership but a pivotal moment to reassess the bloc’s priorities, amid growing calls for reform, resilience, and unity in a region still grappling with instability but aspiring toward collective progress.
It would be recalled that President Tinubu served two consecutive terms as Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.
He was first elected on 9 July 2023 in Guinea-Bissau and re-elected on 7 July 2024 in Abuja.
His re-election was based on a consensus among regional leaders to ensure continuity in leadership, particularly to maintain momentum in the pursuit of peace, security, and economic integration.