ECOWAS Honours 93 Young Professionals at 2025 Immersion Program Graduation in Abuja, Nigeria.
By Raymond Enoch
The ECOWAS Commission today celebrated the successful completion of its 2025 Immersion Programme for young professionals, highlighting its commitment to youth development, employability, and regional integration. The outgoing ceremony, held at Reiz Continental in Abuja, marked the culmination of a year-long initiative that saw ninety-three (93) graduates contribute to the work of various ECOWAS institutions and agencies across the region.
Organized by the Directorate of Education, Science, and Culture under the Department of Human Development and Social Affairs, the programme is part of the ECOWAS Nnamdi Azikiwe Academic Mobility Scheme (ENAAMS). It is designed to equip young graduates with practical skills, enhance their understanding of dynamic, multicultural work environments, and foster collaboration across member states.
The week-long presentations leading up to the ceremony, held from 24th to 25th November, allowed the graduates to showcase reports on their contributions and experiences within the Commission. These sessions, conducted in a hybrid format, enabled participants to demonstrate how their immersion enhanced both their professional capabilities and their understanding of regional socio-economic challenges.
The grand finale featured cultural performances, drama, and testimonials from the young professionals themselves, emphasizing the program’s impact on personal growth and career development. Participants spoke about the skills acquired, the networks built, and how their involvement with ECOWAS institutions has prepared them for future leadership roles in the region.
H.E. Damtien L. Tchintchibidja, Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, presided over the ceremony, joined by ambassadors from member states, directors, and partner organizations. Addressing the graduates, he highlighted the importance of youth engagement and the strategic role of the Immersion Programme in building a competitive and resilient workforce to drive West Africa’s development agenda.
Graduates received attestations recognizing their contributions and successful completion of the programme. The awards underscored ECOWAS’s commitment to nurturing skilled professionals capable of addressing the socio-economic challenges facing the region, while strengthening regional integration and cooperation.
The 2025 Immersion Programme reflects ECOWAS’s broader vision under ECOWAS Vision 2050, aimed at fostering a highly skilled, innovative, and regionally connected workforce. Through initiatives like ENAAMS, the Commission continues to empower young professionals, ensuring that the next generation is well-equipped to lead West Africa toward sustainable growth and development.
