Lagos: President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), stating that the country would continue to play its historic role in shaping West Africa’s path to peace, integration, and shared prosperity.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the president spoke at the 50th anniversary celebration of ECOWAS, held in Lagos. He emphasized Nigeria’s longstanding contributions to regional development, cooperation, and solidarity since the organization’s inception in 1975. Tinubu paid tribute to retired General Yakubu Gowon, Nigeria’s former Head of State, the only surviving leader among the original signatories of the ECOWAS Treaty, for his foundational role.
The president highlighted Nigeria’s consistent efforts, such as the Technical Aid Corps initiative, which has deployed skilled professionals to serve in various ECOWAS member states for nearly 40 years. He reiterated Nigeria’s readiness to support regional capacity-building and honor every eligible request for assistance.
Tinubu also discussed Nigeria’s influence on ECOWAS’s evolution, citing initiatives like the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme and joint border initiatives. He noted the community’s achievements in promoting trade, free movement, peacekeeping, and democratic governance.
While acknowledging ECOWAS’s strides, Tinubu cautioned that regional integration must yield tangible outcomes. He stressed the importance of focusing on youths and women, who represent the majority of the region’s population, and called for deliberate investments in education, entrepreneurship, healthcare, and leadership opportunities.
Additionally, Tinubu emphasized the need for digital transformation, infrastructure development, and food security, highlighting ongoing efforts to drive sustainable growth across the region. He urged all member states to recommit to the founding ideals with courage, clarity, respect, and determination, viewing the golden jubilee as a call to build a future based on cooperation, prosperity, and peace.
Concluding his remarks, Tinubu addressed the people of West Africa, emphasizing their role in building and sustaining the community, and urged them to carry the flame of integration forward.