President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to match their bold policy commitments with concrete action, emphasizing the need for accelerated implementation and inclusive development across the region.
Speaking on Wednesday at the 50th anniversary celebration of ECOWAS in Lagos, Tinubu—who currently chairs the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government—highlighted the bloc’s achievements in regional integration, trade, peacekeeping, and democratic governance. However, he stressed that these accomplishments must now yield real benefits for the people of West Africa, particularly youth and women.
“We are lagging behind on implementation, and I urge all member states to match policy with action,” Tinubu said. “Let our citizens feel the real impact of our shared efforts.”
A central theme of Tinubu’s keynote was youth empowerment and leadership renewal. He described young people and women as both the present and future of West Africa, calling for investments in their education, entrepreneurship, and leadership development.
“We must mentor them. Their success is key to the stability and prosperity of ECOWAS,” he said. “We want to hand a banner without stain to you—the youth of West Africa.”
Tinubu also paid tribute to the founding fathers of ECOWAS, including General Yakubu Gowon—Nigeria’s former head of state and the only surviving signatory to the 1975 ECOWAS treaty—as well as past leaders who laid the foundation for regional cooperation.
He praised ECOWAS for uniting Anglophone, Francophone, and Lusophone countries, and for pioneering cross-border initiatives such as the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme and the ECOWAS Court of Justice.
Still, Tinubu acknowledged persistent challenges including insecurity, food crises, and slow implementation of key regional projects.
“The work of integration is never done. Each generation must carry the flame forward,” he said.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s leadership role in the subregion, Tinubu pledged continued support through Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corps, which has provided skilled professionals to ECOWAS countries for nearly four decades.
He also backed ECOWAS initiatives in digital transformation, agricultural reform, and infrastructure development—citing the ECOWAS Infrastructure Master Plan 2020–2045 and digital tools like Ecogo.
Tinubu concluded with a vision of a united and prosperous West Africa. “This Golden Jubilee is not merely a celebration of the past, but a summons to shape the future,” he said. “Let us imagine a West Africa where our people, diverse yet united, work together toward peace, prosperity, and justice.”
Nzubechukwu Eze
