President Bola Tinubu concluded his tenure as the Chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government on Sunday, officially handing over leadership to President Julius Bio of Sierra Leone. The transition took place at the 67th Ordinary Session of the Authority, held at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja.
“It has been a profound honour and privilege to lead this esteemed body,” Tinubu stated, expressing deep humility for the trust and support he received. He conveyed a “deep sense of fulfilment and commitment for the future of West Africa” as he passed the mantle to his “great friend and dear brother.”
Before stepping down, Tinubu voiced significant concern over the sluggish progress in activating the ECOWAS Standby Force. He implored West African leaders to expedite the transition “from concept to reality” in their collective fight against terrorism and transnational crime, noting that its activation was “taking longer than desired.”
Tinubu first advocated for a regional standby force and a counter-terrorism center in April 2024, aiming to dismantle terrorist operations in Africa’s most troubled regions. He envisioned the counter-terrorism center as a vital hub for intelligence sharing, operational coordination, and capacity building across the continent. The Nigerian leader also identified ransom-taking and illegal mining as “evil branches” fueled by “root causes” like poverty, inequality, and social injustice, which in turn finance and supply terrorist networks.
Despite commitments made in August of the same year, where he affirmed member states’ dedication to investing in the force as a solution to Sahelian terrorism, Tinubu, reflecting on his two-year chairmanship since July 2023, expressed dissatisfaction with the initiative’s pace amidst escalating insecurity. He reiterated the critical need to operationalize the force, emphasizing that regional threats are transnational and demand strengthened coordination, amplified political will, and a collective approach, as no single nation can tackle these challenges alone.
During his leadership, Tinubu highlighted key achievements, including the completion of the ECOWAS Military Logistics Depot in Lungi, Sierra Leone. He noted that this depot would be crucial for providing equipment and logistics to ECOWAS-deployed forces and confirmed Nigeria’s commitment to sea-lift and air-lift arrangements with ECOWAS.
Tinubu also expressed optimism that ongoing diplomatic efforts with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger would ultimately lead to their reintegration into the community. “Under my chairmanship, I deployed all diplomatic means to engage and dialogue with our brothers,” he said, confident of their eventual return.
Looking ahead, the outgoing chairman called for enhanced economic cooperation, urging leaders to empower the private sector and dismantle trade barriers to unlock West Africa’s immense potential. He lamented the low intra-regional trade despite the region’s capacity to be an economic powerhouse. Tinubu further pressed for the swift implementation of pivotal regional infrastructure projects, such as the West African Gas Pipeline, West African Power Pool, and the Abidjan–Lagos Corridor Highway, as essential catalysts for development and integration.
Upon assuming office, President Bio lauded Tinubu for establishing a robust foundation of regional dialogue, economic recovery, and peacebuilding. “I am humbled to build upon the strong foundation you have established,” Bio stated, thanking Tinubu for his “experience and leadership.” Acknowledging the current complexities, the Sierra Leonean leader underscored that West Africa stands at a crossroads, grappling with terrorism, illicit arms flow, political instability, and transnational crime, particularly in the Sahel and coastal states. He noted the strain on democratic spaces and constitutional disruptions in some countries, adding that citizens, especially youth, are demanding accountability, transparency, and a fair stake in national life beyond mere elections.
