Nigeria has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as new statutory appointees formally assumed office in Abuja.
Speaking at the handover ceremony on Monday, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, representing President Bola Tinubu, described the transition as an affirmation of continuity in the pursuit of regional integration more than 50 years after ECOWAS was founded.
He urged the incoming leadership to remain anchored to the vision of the founding fathers — a united, peaceful, prosperous and integrated West Africa — and to build “an ECOWAS of citizens and not of governments.”
Ambassador Enikanolaiye called on the new team to prioritise the implementation of ECOWAS Vision 2050, with focus on free movement of persons, intra-regional trade and investment, infrastructure development, food and energy security, youth and women empowerment, and job creation.
He stressed that financial probity, accountability, cost-effectiveness and prudent management must remain guiding principles, noting that ECOWAS must continue to justify the significant investments made by Nigeria and other Member States through the Community Levy.
Peace and security, he said, remain the bedrock of economic integration. He urged intensified engagement with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) countries, describing them as “brothers and sisters with shared challenges and aspirations.”
“Nigeria remains committed to working constructively with the new leadership and all Member States towards a stronger, more integrated and people-centred ECOWAS,” the Minister stated.
General Birame Diop of Senegal has assumed office as the new President of the ECOWAS Commission, succeeding Dr. Omar Alieu Touray of The Gambia. Anthony Ogunjimi of Nigeria takes over as Vice President. All Commissioners have also been replaced.
The ceremony was attended by the Chair of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, H.E. Cheikh Niang, members of the Permanent Representatives Committee, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chair of the ECOWAS Business Council, staff of ECOWAS Institutions and members of the press.
