By Gloria Ikibah

The Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, officially opened the 67th Ordinary Session of the Authority in Abuja with a strong call for deeper regional integration and decisive action on security threats facing the sub-region.

In a wide-ranging opening address, President Tinubu began by acknowledging the efforts and participation of member states in two recent milestone events: the 50th anniversary celebration of ECOWAS in Lagos on May 25 and the West African Economic Summit held in Abuja.

President Tinubu warned that despite five decades of progress, ECOWAS still faces grave security challenges, and urged regional leaders to adopt a unified approach to tackling these threats:

“Excellencies, Heads of States and Governments, while celebrating our achievement over the past 50 years, we must equally confront the stark and persistent challenges that continue to impede our aspirations. Foremost among them at the moment are the security threats, violent extremism, and other cross-border crimes that have continued to widen and deepen our India intensity. These threats are transitional in nature and are driven by quite an agile and dangerous network that respects no borders.

“No single nation can therefore address these challenges alone. We must strengthen coordination, amplify political will, and prioritize a collective approach to security. This is why the ECOWAS Standby Force must move from the concept to operational reality now”.

President Tinubu expressed concern over delays in activating the force, and also highlighted progress under his chairmanship, citing the completion of the ECOWAS Military Logistics Depot in Lungi, Sierra Leone, as a major step forward.

“I am a little bit worried about the slow pace of its activation, which is taking longer than desired. We must act decisively to operationalize the ECOWAS Standby Force on the fight against terrorism to serve as an instrument for peace and stability for our region. I am pleased to note that under my stewardship as the Chair of Authority, the ECOWAS Military Logistics Depot in Lungui, Sierra Leone, has been completed.

“The depot will play a critical role in providing equipment and other logistics to forces deployed by ECOWAS. Last February in Addis Ababa, Nigeria signed the sixth 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”.

Economic Growth and Trade Vital to Regional Unity

President Tinubu emphasised that security and economic development must go hand-in-hand, and called for the elimination of trade barriers and support for private enterprise.

He commended ECOWAS on several economic integration initiatives—including trade liberalization schemes and the Common External Tariff—Tinubu noted their importance to building a unified market.

“Regional integration will be only meaningful when it is underpinned by economic prosperity. As we discussed at the West African Economic Summit, our intra-regional trade remains low, even as we possess the potential to be an economic powerhouse in the continent.

“We must create the enabling environment, empower the private sector, remove trade barriers, and create the conditions necessary for industry and entrepreneurship and innovation to flourish. We commend ECOWAS for implementing fundamental policies such as trade liberalization schemes, the Common External Tariff, Regional Investment Code, and Protocol of Free Movement of Persons, Goods and Services. These initiatives are cornerstones of our ambition to create a seamless, orderless regional market that benefits all the citizens, especially the youth”.

He praised the recent Nigeria-ECOWAS trade and investment forum and urged more platforms to facilitate private sector collaboration.

“It is my expectation that the outcome of the Economic Summit will feed into ECOWAS’ Summit having also identified the gaps and challenges of implementation,” he added.

Democracy, Diplomacy, and the AES Situation

Addressing political governance challenges, Tinubu expressed his determination to maintain unity in the face of democratic setbacks in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) who have distanced themselves from ECOWAS.

“Under my chairmanship, I have deployed all diplomatic means to engage and dialogue with our brothers in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. I am confident that before too long, they will return to the family as we leave our doors open for the unity, solidarity, and shared vision of ECOWAS of the future”.

Focus on Youth, Gender, and Infrastructure

Tinubu stressed that the region’s greatest strength lies in its people.

“Our region’s greatest asset is its people, particularly its youth, who represent the majority of our population.

“Their talents, creativity, and drive must be harnessed for development. We must invest in education, create sustainable jobs, and foster an environment where innovation and digital transformation can thrive. In doing so, we not only unlock economic growth, we also inequate our societies against recruitment efforts of extremist groups and criminal syndicates.

On gender equality, he declared, “Similarly, we must mainstream gender equality in our development agenda. Women are not merely beneficiaries. They are agents of change and social transformation.

“Their full and active participation in economic and political life is indispensable to building a just, inclusive, and resilient society”.

He also advocated for strategic infrastructure development, noting that connectivity—both physical and digital—is vital to integration. Projects such as the West African Gas Pipeline, the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Highway, and the West African Power Pool were highlighted as examples of transformative initiatives.

“Regional integration is incomplete without physical and digital connectivity. We must fast-track the implementation of strategic infrastructure projects, including roads, railways, cross-border energy systems, and broadband connectivity.

“Projects like the West African Gas Pipeline, the West African Power Pool, and the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Highway are not just symbols of regional ambition. They are also catalysts for economic transformation. This project 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 interoperable platforms for e-commerce and digital financial services will enable our entrepreneurs, especially young innovators and women, to participate fully in the global economy. To make all of this a reality, we call upon our developmental partners, financial institutions, and private sectors to deepen their engagement.

A Call to Action

Tinubu concluded with an appeal for partnership and decisive commitment to action. “Public-private partnerships will be essential to bridge the infrastructure gap and accelerate implementation. Timeliness and our commitment must be matched by resource mobilization, policy harmonization, and efficient cross-border coordination

“I urge you to meaningfully engage in critical deliberation to discuss the various reports and memorandums before us for the benefit of our community and the stronger ECOWAS region.”