President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday formally ended his tenure as Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
He handed over the leadership to President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone during the 67th Ordinary Session of the Authority held in Abuja.
Tinubu expressed gratitude to fellow regional leaders for entrusting him with the role twice and reflected on his time in office with a sense of accomplishment.
“Please permit me to express my profound gratitude for the confidence you’ve placed in me to serve as Chair of the Authority, not once, but twice,” Tinubu said. “It has been a profound honour and privilege to lead this esteemed body.”
As he stepped down, he urged ECOWAS leaders to remain committed to peace, security, and people-oriented development. Tinubu said he had confidence in President Bio’s ability to lead the organisation forward.
“I do so with a deep sense of fulfilment and optimism. I remain confident that with the continued cooperation of all its members, ECOWAS will scale greater heights in our collective pursuit of peace, stability and prosperity,” he said.
Calls for Regional Unity and Stability
President Tinubu used the summit to call for stronger political cooperation and faster implementation of security frameworks, particularly the ECOWAS Standby Force. He warned that regional peace would remain elusive without decisive action against terrorism and insurgency.
“We must act decisively to operationalise the ECOWAS Standby Force on the fight against terrorism to serve as an instrument for peace and stability for our region,” he stated.
Tinubu said the slow pace of activating the Standby Force was concerning, noting that the region cannot afford delays in the face of growing threats.
“No single nation can address these challenges alone. We must strengthen coordination, amplify political will and prioritise a collective approach to security. This is why the ECOWAS Standby Force must move from the concept to operational reality now. I am a little bit worried about the slow pace of its activation, which is taking longer than desired,” he said.
The President also stressed the importance of democratic governance and political stability, describing them as necessary conditions for economic integration and progress. He said integration cannot thrive in politically unstable environments.
He noted that the ECOWAS military logistics depot in Lungi, Sierra Leone, was completed under his leadership and would help support deployed forces in future missions.
“I am pleased to note that under my authority, the ECOWAS military logistics depot in Lungi, Sierra Leone, has been completed,” he announced.
Terror Threats and Regional Division
Tinubu’s tenure faced major security and political challenges. The region continued to witness attacks in Benin, Nigeria, and other parts of the Sahel, largely driven by Boko Haram, ISWAP, and Al-Qaeda affiliates.
According to global reports, the Sahel became the deadliest region for terrorism in 2024, accounting for 50% of deaths related to extremist violence.
ECOWAS has also been weakened by the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic from the 15-member bloc in early 2025. Their exit followed ongoing disagreements with the body, particularly over democratic norms and military coups. The withdrawals have disrupted military coordination, joint task forces, and intelligence sharing.
In March, Niger Republic also pulled out of a four-nation task force with Nigeria, Cameroon, and Chad around the Lake Chad Basin. The move has weakened counter-insurgency operations in that area.
Despite the setbacks, Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional peace, democracy, and development. He said inclusive growth and deeper integration must remain top priorities.
“Let us deepen cooperation, uphold diplomatic principles, and foster inclusive growth that leaves no one behind,” he urged.
As the summit ended, Tinubu called on member states to unite around a shared vision for a stable, secure, and prosperous West Africa.
“Let us remain resolute in our shared mission to deepen our integration, protect our people, and build a prosperous, secure, and united West Africa,” he concluded.
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