67th ECOWAS Summit Ends in Abuja, H.E.President Julius Maada Bio Emerges New Chairman, Pledges Reform and Regional Unity.
By Raymond Enoch
The 67th Ordinary Summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) convened on Sunday, June 22, 2025, marking a pivotal moment for the regional bloc as H.E. Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone, assumed the leadership role of Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government. The summit, held in the Nigerian capital, was a testament to ECOWAS’s ongoing commitment to regional integration, peace, and economic development.
The summit opened with heartfelt tributes to the founding fathers of ECOWAS, acknowledging their visionary leadership in creating one of Africa’s most dynamic and influential regional organizations. “We stand on the shoulders of giants,” noted Dr Omar Alieu Touray in his address, emphasizing that the foundational values of unity, cooperation, and mutual progress remain as relevant today as they were at ECOWAS’s inception.
A central theme of the summit was the bloc’s firm resolve to engage constructively with the three member states that have recently withdrawn from ECOWAS. Dr Touray underscored the importance of “continued dialogue and engagement to bring all member states back into the fold,” warning that regional fragmentation threatens the peace and prosperity that ECOWAS has long worked to cultivate.
Echoing this, Heads of State reiterated their commitment to bolster the region’s private sector, which they identified as a critical engine for sustainable growth, job creation, and deeper economic integration. Touray stressed that “stimulating the private sector will unlock new opportunities for millions of West Africans, particularly the youth, and pave the way for an inclusive, prosperous future.”
The summit highlighted the urgent need for stronger political will and decisive collective action to preserve peace and stability throughout West Africa. “The challenges we face—ranging from insecurity to economic vulnerabilities—require coordinated and resolute responses,” Dr Omar Alieu Touray emphasized, urging leaders to move beyond rhetoric towards concrete implementation of agreed measures.
In a symbolic ceremony marking the close of the summit, H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of Nigeria and outgoing Chairman, formally handed over leadership to H.E. Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone. President Bio, in his acceptance speech, pledged to lead ECOWAS with renewed vigor and a focus on reform that prioritizes the welfare of the peoples of West Africa.
“I am committed to a united ECOWAS—reformed, resilient, and focused on delivering tangible benefits to our citizens,” declared President Bio, setting the tone for his tenure. He also reiterated the collective resolve to enhance regional cooperation and deepen integration for a peaceful and prosperous West Africa.
As the 67th ECOWAS Summit concluded, the message was clear: the region is at a crossroads where leadership, unity, and actionable strategies will determine the future trajectory of West Africa. With President Julius Maada Bio at the helm, and the collective commitment of member states, ECOWAS aims to strengthen its foundations and deliver on the promise of a stable, integrated, and thriving West African community.
