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By Gloria Ikibah

Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as new statutory appointees assume office at the regional bloc’s institutions.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, gave the assurance in Abuja at a handover ceremony for outgoing and incoming statutory appointees of ECOWAS institutions.

Speaking as the host minister and conveying the greetings of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Enikanolaiye described the transition as a demonstration of continuity in the regional integration process, more than five decades after the establishment of ECOWAS.

He urged the new leadership to remain committed to the vision of the founding fathers of building a united, peaceful, prosperous and integrated West Africa.

The minister particularly called for an “ECOWAS of citizens and not of governments”, urging the incoming management to make the interests of ordinary citizens central to its policies and programmes.

He charged the new leadership to prioritise the implementation of ECOWAS Vision 2050, “The ECOWAS of Peoples: Peace and Prosperity for All”, with emphasis on free movement, intra-regional trade and investment, infrastructure development, food and energy security, youth and women empowerment, and job creation.

Enikanolaiye also stressed the need for financial discipline and accountability within the regional organisation.

He said, “financial probity, accountability, cost-effectiveness and prudent management must remain watchwords”, adding that ECOWAS must justify the huge financial investments made by Nigeria and other member states through the Community Levy.

The minister identified peace and security as critical to achieving meaningful regional economic integration, while calling for stronger engagement with countries belonging to the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

He urged ECOWAS to engage the AES countries as “brothers and sisters with shared challenges and aspirations”, stressing the need to address regional differences through dialogue and cooperation.

While commending the outgoing President, Commissioners and Heads of ECOWAS Institutions for their service, Enikanolaiye congratulated the incoming team and urged them to lead with vision, integrity, efficiency and a strong commitment to serving citizens.

“Nigeria remains committed to working constructively with the new leadership and all Member States towards a stronger, more integrated and people-centred ECOWAS,” he said.
The new President of the ECOWAS Commission, General Birame Diop, has assumed office, succeeding Dr Omar Alieu Touray of The Gambia, whose four-year tenure has ended.

Diop, a former Senegalese Minister of Defence and former Chief of the General Staff of the Senegalese Armed Forces, was appointed by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government at its 69th Ordinary Summit in Sierra Leone.

He is expected to provide strategic leadership towards strengthening regional integration, peace and security, economic cooperation and institutional effectiveness.

Nigeria’s Anthony Ogunjimi will serve as Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission, while new Commissioners have also taken over their respective portfolios.

The ceremony was attended by the Chair of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, H.E. Cheikh Niang, members of the Permanent Representatives Committee, Chairman of the ECOWAS Business Council, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, staff of ECOWAS institutions and members of the media.

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A prominent Edo politician and stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Dan Orbih is dead.

This was disclosed in a family notice signed Francis Udukhomoi Orbih Esq on Tuesday stating that:

“With profound sadness and a heavy heart but in total submission to the will of the almighty God, the family of Chief M.C.K. Orbih announce the passing of our beloved brother, husband, father and uncle, Chief Daniel Osi Orbih, who passed away on Monday, 31 August 2026.

“He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Florence Orbih; his children, Ms. Winifred Anwosiobor Orbih and Dr. Mildred Omonemi Orbih; his brothers and sisters; as well as other members of the extended family.

“At this difficult time, we ask family members, friends and well-wishers to remember the entire family in their prayers as we mourn this painful loss.
Further details will be announced in due course.

May his soul rest in perfect peace.

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By Gloria

Nigeria’s economy expanded by 4.43 per cent in real terms in the second quarter of 2026, strengthening the Federal Government’s push to build a $1 trillion economy by 2030.

The latest figure, released by the Federal Ministry of Finance on Tuesday, represents an improvement on the 4.23 per cent recorded in the second quarter of 2025 and 3.89 per cent in the first quarter of 2026.

According to the ministry, performance showed that the economy was gaining momentum, with growth spreading across more sectors.

“The strong Q2 2026 outturn lifted real GDP growth for the first half of 2026 to 4.16 per cent, up from 3.68 per cent in the corresponding period of 2025, a clear signal of sustained strengthening across the economy,” the statement read.

According to the ministry, 27 economic subsectors recorded real growth above three per cent during the quarter, compared with 23 subsectors in Q2 2025.

“Growth is also becoming more broad-based.

It added: “In Q2 2026, 27 economic subsectors recorded real growth above 3.0 per cent, up from 23 subsectors in Q2 2025, showing that expansion is no longer concentrated in a handful of industries,” the ministry said.

The productive sectors recorded notable improvements, with manufacturing, agriculture and services all posting stronger growth than in the corresponding period of 2025.

“Manufacturing grew by 3.24 per cent, more than double the 1.60 per cent recorded in Q2 2025, reflecting improved industrial output.

“Agriculture expanded by 4.39 per cent, up from 2.82 per cent, underscoring stronger production and value-chain performance,” the ministry stated.

The services sector, which remains the largest contributor to economic activity, also recorded stronger growth.

“Services, the largest driver of growth, expanded by 4.60 per cent, up from 3.94 per cent,” it said.

The ministry also pointed to the relative stability and appreciation of the naira as another factor boosting Nigeria’s economic performance in dollar terms.

“The naira appreciated by more than 12 per cent between H1 2025 and H1 2026, resulting in an expansion of the economy by approximately 17 per cent in U.S. dollar terms over the period,” it noted.

The ministry said the trend, if sustained alongside the government’s social programmes, could have a direct impact on household incomes and living standards.

It said the pace of growth “will meaningfully strengthen dollar incomes, improve purchasing power and lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty”.

With the latest figures, the government said Nigeria was now better positioned to pursue its ambitious $1 trillion economic target.

“Given this momentum, Nigeria is well positioned to consolidate its standing among Africa’s largest economies and to advance toward the Government’s target of a USD 1 trillion economy by 2030,” it said.

The ministry also cited the International Monetary Fund’s projection that Nigeria would rank among the top 10 contributors to global real GDP growth in 2026 and account for roughly 1.5 per cent of world growth.

It said sustained reforms and policy consistency will be critical to keeping the momentum going.

“These results underscore the importance of sustaining our reforms and ensuring policy consistency as their benefits begin to reach households across the country.

“The Government remains focused on accelerating inclusive growth and translating these macroeconomic gains into shared prosperity for every Nigerian family,” the statement further read.”