Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday officially handed over the chairmanship of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone. The transition took place at the 67th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, held in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
President Bio succeeds Tinubu, whose two-term tenure as ECOWAS Chairman began on July 9, 2023, in Guinea-Bissau and was extended a year later in Abuja. His leadership focused on regional security, democratic governance, and economic cooperation.
The handover ended earlier speculation that Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye had been elected chair during a closed-door meeting prior to the summit.
In his acceptance speech, President Bio outlined four key priorities for his tenure:
- Restoring constitutional order and strengthening democratic institutions
- Enhancing regional security cooperation
- Advancing economic integration across member states
- Building credible and effective ECOWAS institutions
He pledged to work collaboratively with all member states to address the region’s pressing challenges and promote sustainable development.
In his farewell address, President Tinubu expressed gratitude to fellow leaders for their support during his tenure.
“As we look to the future of West Africa, I remain optimistic that with sustained cooperation, ECOWAS will continue to achieve peace, security, stability, and prosperity for our region,” Tinubu said.
Reflecting on the past two years, he noted the bloc’s resilience in the face of complex challenges, including political transitions and security threats. He called for unity and vigilance in addressing the evolving needs of the West African people.
“Our organisation must strike a careful balance between its core mandate of economic integration and the increasing political, security, and governance challenges facing the region,” Tinubu stated. “True integration cannot thrive in an unstable political environment.”
He urged ECOWAS leaders to prioritize inclusive growth, with special attention to youth, women, and vulnerable populations who are central to the region’s future.
