ECOWAS Chairperson and Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has urged West African leaders to activate the ECOWAS Standby Force, emphasising its crucial role as an effective instrument to combat terrorism across the region.
President Tinubu made the appeal in his opening remarks at the 67th Ordinary Session of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), held at the Conference Centre, State House, Abuja.
He expressed optimism about the reintegration of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)—into ECOWAS. He stressed that during his tenure as Chairperson, diplomatic and political efforts have been prioritised to achieve this goal.
“Democracy has continued to persevere in the region. Regarding the situation in the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) countries, under my chairmanship, I have deployed all diplomatic means to engage and dialogue with our brothers in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger,” he said.
President Tinubu emphasised that no individual country can tackle the pressing transitional challenges of violent extremism, security threats, and other border crimes alone, underscoring the urgent need to activate the ECOWAS standby force immediately.
He called for the strengthening of coordination and amplified political will to prioritise a collective approach to tackle the multi-dimensional security threats.
“Foremost among them at the moment are the security threats, violent extremism and other cross-border crimes that have continued to widen and deepen in their intensity.
“These threats are transitional in nature, and are driven by quite an agile and dangerous network that respect borders. No single nation can therefore address these challenges alone. We must strengthen coordination, amplify political will, and prioritise a collective approach to security.”
“This is why the ECOWAS standby force must move from the concept to operational reality now. I am a little bit worried about the slow pace of its activation, which is taking longer than desired. We must act decisively to operationalise the ECOWAS standby force in the fight against terrorism to serve as an instrument for peace and stability for our region.
“Despite some challenges, ECOWAS has remained a veritable model of regional integration in West Africa and elsewhere.” The Nigerian Leader added.
President Tinubu affirmed Nigeria’s commitment to both the sea lift and air lift arrangements with ECOWAS, emphasising that the country will continue to take a leading role in supporting the regional efforts of ECOWAS in promoting peace and security.
“Last February in Addis Ababa, Nigeria signed the south agreement with the African Union. With the completion of the depot, Nigeria is committing itself to both the sea lift and air lift arrangement with ECOWAS. Nigeria will continue to play its leading role in supporting ECOWAS regional responses to peace and Security.”
He called on ECOWAS member States to create the enabling environment to empower the private sector thereby, removing trade barriers and creating the conditions necessary for industry and entrepreneurship and innovation to flourish.
President Tinubu urged the regional bloc to foster an environment that empowers the private sector by eliminating trade barriers and establishing the essential conditions for industry, entrepreneurship, and innovation to thrive.
He commended ECOWAS for implementing fundamental policies such as trade liberalization scheme the common external tariff, regional investment code and protocol of free movement of persons, goods and services adding that such initiatives are cornerstone of the community’s ambition to create a seamless, borderless regional market that benefits all the citizens, especially the youth.
“To this end, as part of ECOWAS 50th anniversary, Nigeria, with ECOWAS Commission has already hosted the first ever trade and investment forum, which witnessed participation of all major economic groups and companies in the region.
“We must create more platforms for the private sectors to not only network, but collaborate and complement one another. It is my expectation that the outcome of the economic summit would feed into the ECOWAS summit and also identify the gaps and challenges of implementation.”
President Tinubu further called for the fast track of implementation of strategic infrastructural projects such as roads, railways, cross-border energy systems and broadband connectivity, thereby empowering physical and digital connectivity
“Regional integration is incomplete without physical and digital connectivity. We must fast-track the implementation of strategic infrastructural projects including roads, railways, cross-border energy systems and broadband connectivity.”
“Projects like the West African gas pipeline, the west African power poll and the Abidjan-Lagos corridor highway, are not just symbols of regional ambition. There are also catalysts for economic transformation. These projects will unlock new opportunities, connect isolated communities and improve the living conditions of citizens of the community.
“We must also embrace the digital economy as a core pillar of our integration efforts. Expanding broadband access, promoting digital literacy and building secured inter-approbable platforms, e-commerce and digital financial services will enable our entrepreneurs especially young innovators and women to participate fully in the global economy.”
President Tinubu called on development partners, financial institutions and private sector to deepen their engagements with ECOWAS adding that public-private partnerships will play a crucial role in closing the infrastructure gap and speeding up implementation efforts.
“To development partners, financial institutions and private sector to deepen their engagements. Public private partnerships will be essential to bridge the infrastructure gap and accelerate implementation.”
President Tinubu stated that while timelines and regional commitment are important, they must be supported by resource mobilisation, policy harmonisation, and effective cross-border coordination.
President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, praised President Tinubu for his dedicated leadership of the Authority over the past two years.
“On behalf of the management and staff of ECOWAS institutions, I extend our warm appreciation to President Tinubu, the government, and the people of Nigeria for their leadership and generosity to ECOWAS. We are particularly grateful to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who in the past two years has piloted the affairs of the Authority with great attention and remarkable dedication,” he stated.
Touray also paid tribute to the founding fathers of ECOWAS, emphasising that their visionary leadership and unwavering commitment laid the essential groundwork for regional integration and cooperation.
He asserted that these pioneers deserve permanent commendation and enduring recognition from all member states for their invaluable contributions to the economic and political unity of West Africa.
“But let me say, Excellencies, that as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS, we must recall the founding fathers of the organisation—those who joined Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon of Nigeria, to establish ECOWAS. They deserve our lasting commendation,” Touray added.
He listed the founding leaders to include Nigeria’s former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd.); Gnassingbé Eyadéma of Togo, who worked closely with Gowon in promoting the idea of regional integration; Félix Houphouët-Boigny of Côte d’Ivoire, a staunch advocate for regional unity; and William Tolbert Jr. of Liberia, who contributed to early discussions on economic cooperation, among others.
Presidents in attendance at the 67th ECOWAS Ordinary Summit include Joseph Boakai (Liberia), Bassirou Diomaye Faye (Senegal), John Mahama (Ghana), Julius Maada Bio (Sierra Leone), Adama Barrow (The Gambia), Patrice Talon (Republic of Benin), and Jean Lucien de Tové (Togo).