ECOWAS@50, Nigeria Committed to Regional Unity, Hopes for Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger Return.
By Raymond Enoch
As the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) marks its golden jubilee, Wednesday 28th May 2025, the regional bloc stands at a historic crossroads—celebrating five decades of progress while confronting recent military take over in member States
Nigeria seen as the powerhouse of West Africa, is taking center stage at this defining moment, reaffirming its commitment and leadership role in driving regional integration, economic development, and diplomatic reconciliation.
At a high-profile media briefing ahead of the landmark celebrations today in Abuja, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, underscored the dual purpose of the 50th anniversary: honoring ECOWAS’s past Founding father’s one and the only surving personality General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd), its achievements and charting a revitalized path forward under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s stewardship.
“This is a revalidation of our shared vision,” Tuggar declared. “Nigeria is not just part of ECOWAS—we’re shaping its future.”
The minister detailed ambitious cross-border infrastructure projects spearheaded by Nigerian diplomacy—from the transformative Abidjan-Lagos and Abidjan-Dakar trade corridors to a pioneering 15-nation gas pipeline. He further highlighted ECOWAS’s standardized regional frameworks in energy, water, and health sectors, lauded internationally as models for collective progress. A standout innovation is the ECOWAS Community Levy, a pioneering self-financing mechanism credited largely to Nigeria’s influence, which Tuggar described as “a quiet revolution.”
Yet, amid the jubilation, ECOWAS grapples with the fallout of political upheavals. Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—each under military rule—have formally exited the bloc after prolonged diplomatic tensions and refusals to restore civilian governance. Their withdrawal has dealt a significant blow to the 15-nation community, long hailed as Africa’s most vital regional integration platform.
Despite these challenges, Ambassador Tuggar expressed cautious optimism about the trio’s eventual return. “ECOWAS has done its best to offer these countries the opportunity to remain part of the community,” he said. “The door remains open. I was recently in Niger, and they have not ruled out a return in the future.”
He explained that the relocation of ECOWAS regional institutions from the three countries is a consequence of membership rules. “If you leave, we must relocate. But this doesn’t mean we are not hopeful. Under different circumstances, we hope they will come back. It’s about the community and the people.”
As the bloc commemorates its 50th year, the message from Nigeria is clear: West Africa is poised to rise stronger, with renewed cooperation, visionary infrastructure, and the spirit of unity. Nigeria is not just marking a milestone—it is leading the charge into a new era for ECOWAS, hoping to restore full membership and cohesion.
“Let this be a call to action,” Tuggar concluded. “West Africa is rising. And Nigeria is leading the way.”
