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By Gloria Ikibah.

Nigeria has reiterated its commitment to promoting peace, market liberalization, women and youth engagement in meaningful activities and regional integration in the West African Sub-region.

Member of Nigeria’s Delegation to the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS, Hon. Osita Ngwu, gave the assurance during the presentation of Nigeria’s Country Report at the ongoing 2024 first ordinary session on Monday in Abuja.

The Situation report featured Nigeria’s progress and challenges in the areas of political, security, economic, and human rights situation, as well as status of implementation of ECOWAS text which includes the protocol relating to the community levy, free movement of persons and goods within the member countries and supplementary act on Gender rights equality for sustainable development in the ECOWAS region.

Presenting the report, Senator Ngwu noted that the political situation in Nigeria, under President Bola Tinubu’s administration which he described as inclusive and reconciliatory government is stable.

The report also emphasized President Tinubu’s effort to involve all stakeholders in decision-making processes such as economic policies, security, poverty eradication, youth unemployment and review of public salaries and wages.

He said: “May I strongly and confidently inform you, that Mr. President’s “Renewed Hope” agenda is gradually surmounting the security challenges confronting the country as well as stabilizing the monetary system. The Government is also making a profound investment in infrastructure such as roads, railway projects, housing”.

With regards to security in Nigerian, Ngeu stated that the Nigerian is working closely with regional and international partners to address the nation’s security challenges and strengthen the capacity of security agencies through the provision of adequate military equipment, training, additional manpower, surveillance facilities and security information gathering and sharing.

Considering the Economy, the report affirmed that the Nigerian economy is gradually stabilizing, with its focus on diversification.

He noted that the Nigerian government has been implementing various reforms to improve the business environment and attract foreign investment with several positive economic policy reforms in areas that includes the removal of fuel subsidy, which is expected to free up over N1 trillion.

According to the report, Economic Growth Forecast is expected to grow by 3.76 per cent in 2024 despite current economic challenges, even as he noted they President Tinubu Inaugurated the Economic Council, the Unification of the Naira, among others.

On Human Rights Situation in Nigeria, the report emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to upholding human rights with steps taken to strengthen the rule of law and promote accountability.

Despite efforts made to address challenges such as gender equality, discrimination and access to justice, the Nigerian delegates acknowledged that there were still areas relating to the protection of civil liberties, freedom of expression, peaceful demonstration and the right of marginalized group that needed to be looked into.

The report however disclosed that government was working assiduously to address these challenges through legal reforms, awareness campaigns and orientations.

Responding to the report Members of Parliament faulted the low representation of women in parliament especially as the 30% representation as allowed by the ECOWAS Parliament is not met by Nigerian.

Other issues raised were the issues if high foreign exchange rates and the non availability of dollars in commercial banks