…Nigerian president calls for unity against terrorism, unconstitutional rule
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday charged West African leaders to turn policy into action, deepen regional integration, and place youth and women at the heart of ECOWAS development efforts.
The Nigerian president made the call during the 50th anniversary celebration of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos.
Addressing a distinguished gathering of regional leaders and stakeholders, Tinubu paid tribute to ECOWAS’ founding fathers and emphasised the need to continue nurturing the vision of a united and prosperous West Africa.
“It is of great pride and deep gratitude that I address this distinguished gathering at the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS today,” Tinubu said. “We celebrate not only five decades of history, but the enduring spirit of unity, resilience, and shared destiny that defines our community.”
The president singled out Yakubu Gowon, former Nigerian head of state and the only surviving founding father of ECOWAS, for special recognition.
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“You are the symbol of this historic journey,” Tinubu said, hailing Gowon’s leadership and vision in 1975 when the regional bloc was formed.
Reflecting on ECOWAS’ achievements over the past five decades, Tinubu highlighted its role in promoting free movement, regional trade, and peace across West Africa.
He lauded the progress made through instruments like the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme and joint border posts, which he said had facilitated business and cultural exchange across member states.
“Our region has pioneered free movement, expanded into regional trade, and deepened integration,” Tinubu said. “These measures have facilitated business, cultural exchanges, and mobility across West Africa.”
On peace and security, Tinubu noted ECOWAS’ intervention in restoring constitutional order and fighting instability.
In recent years, several West African countries, including Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Niger, have experienced coups or constitutional disruptions. Tinubu, who also serves as ECOWAS chairman, reiterated the bloc’s zero-tolerance stance on unconstitutional changes of government.
“ECOWAS has acted decisively to restore constitutional order and counter instability,” he said. “Our regional cooperation in counterterrorism and fighting financial crime reflects our shared commitment to peace and safety.”
The president also acknowledged ECOWAS’ contributions to democratic governance through election observation and institutions like the ECOWAS Parliament and Court of Justice.
However, Tinubu was clear about the challenges ahead. He emphasised the need for better implementation of regional policies and strategies.
“Our greatest task now is implementation,” he stated. “We are lagging behind, and I hold all member states to match policy with action. Let our citizens feel the real impact of our shared efforts.”
He stressed that young people and women must be central to ECOWAS’ development agenda. “Our young people, our women who form the majority, must be at the heart of ECOWAS development,” Tinubu said. “We must invest deliberately in their education, entrepreneurship, healthcare, and leadership.”
The president reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the ECOWAS Technical Aid Corps, which deploys skilled professionals to other member countries. “For nearly 40 years, Nigeria has supported regional capacity building,” he noted. “I will continue to honor every eligible request.”
The ECOWAS chairman called on leaders to renew their commitment to unity and shared prosperity. “Let us renew our compact with one another, with courage, clarity, respect, and determination,” he said. “We will promote trade. We will promote unity. We will conquer all forms of challenges, terrorism, banditry, and hatred.”
He envisioned a West Africa where no child is denied opportunity because of birthplace, where economies thrive through joint effort, and where regional bonds are stronger than divisions.
“This golden jubilee is not merely a celebration of the past but a summons to shape the future,” Tinubu declared. “In our unity lies our power. In our solidarity, our success.”
“To the people of West Africa, this is your community. Your hands build it. Your effort sustains it. Your dreams will define what it becomes. Long live ECOWAS. Long live West Africa. Long live African unity and African Union.”
