Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, hosted 11 West African leaders at the 66th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Abuja.
The meeting, held at the State House Conference Centre, highlights Tinubu’s leadership as ECOWAS Chairman, a position he assumed in June 2023 and retained for a second term in June 2024.
Discussions at the session focus on key regional challenges, including the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from ECOWAS, effective January 2024.
These nations criticised ECOWAS for deviating from its founding ideals and opposing their military-led governments.
In retaliation, the trio formed the Alliance of Sahel States, fostering defence cooperation and aligning closer with Russia while distancing from Western allies, notably France.
The leaders are also addressing sanctions on the withdrawing nations, counter-terrorism strategies in the Sahel, and political instability across member states.
During the session, ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray announced Nigeria’s payment of ₦85 billion and $54 million, fully clearing its levies for 2023 and up to July 2024.
This marks the first time in 19 years that Nigeria has met its financial obligations in full.
Touray commended Tinubu’s leadership and the Nigerian government’s dedication to the regional body.
Tinubu, in his opening remarks, urged ECOWAS leaders to strengthen cooperation, protect citizens, and improve living standards.
He lauded Ghana and Senegal for conducting successful elections, describing Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo—attending his final ECOWAS session—as a model of democratic leadership.
The session coincides with ECOWAS’s 50th-anniversary preparations in 2025, raising questions about the bloc’s unity amidst political upheavals, security threats, and shifting alliances in the region.
