The Federal Government of Nigeria has congratulated the new leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission and reaffirmed its commitment to deepening regional integration.
This was contained in a press statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja on Friday, signed by its Spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi.
Retired General Birame Diop of Senegal formally assumed office as President of the ECOWAS Commission, while Anthony Ogunjimi of Nigeria took up the position of Vice President. They succeed outgoing President Dr. Omar Alieu Touray of The Gambia and other statutory appointees whose four-year tenure has ended.
A formal welcome and send-off ceremony was held on 31 August 2026 at the Commission’s new headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking on behalf of the Nigerian government, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye urged the new leadership to prioritise programmes and projects that deliver tangible, measurable and sustainable benefits to citizens across the region.
He stressed that ECOWAS must remain focused on initiatives that improve livelihoods, strengthen regional integration, and contribute to peace, security and sustainable development in West Africa.
Ambassador Enikanolaiye reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to the ECOWAS agenda, noting that the organisation’s relevance would ultimately be judged by its ability to translate policies into real improvements in the lives of West Africans. He also underscored the need for the Community to justify the sacrifices and investments made by Member States, including through the Community Levy.
Nigeria commended Dr. Touray and the outgoing appointees for their service in advancing regional peace, stability, economic integration and institutional strengthening.
The government welcomed the new leadership’s call for renewed unity, solidarity and mutual respect among Member States, and expressed readiness to work closely on security, connectivity, free movement of persons, cross-border initiatives and other areas of shared interest.
“As ECOWAS enters a new phase under its new leadership, Nigeria remains confident that renewed commitment to unity, effective institutional cooperation, and citizen-centred regional programmes that improve livelihoods will help restore confidence in the integration process and advance the vision of a peaceful, united, connected, prosperous and resilient West Africa,” the statement said.
