ECOWAS Commission Hosts High-Level Technical Meeting in Nigeria Toward the Creation of West Africa’s Economic and Social Council
By Raymond Enoch
In a decisive stride toward deepening regional integration and participatory governance, the ECOWAS Commission, through its Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS), has convened a pivotal technical session aimed at advancing the establishment of an Economic and Social Council of West Africa (ECOWAS-ECOSOC). The two-day meeting, which commenced on June 26, 2025, is being held in Niger State, Nigeria.
This high-level technical session assembles experts, officials, consultants, and strategic partners drawn from the Commission’s relevant departments, directorates, and divisions. Together, they are expected to fine-tune the framework for the ECOWAS-ECOSOC—an envisioned institutional mechanism aimed at serving as a bridge between the people of West Africa and the regional decision-making process.
The ECOWAS-ECOSOC, once established, is set to play a transformative role in the consolidation of democratic values, peace, political stability, and citizen inclusion across West Africa. It is conceived as a participatory body through which civil society actors, the private sector, and socio-economic stakeholders can influence regional policies and development agendas.
Delivering his opening address, Amb. Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, emphasized the unique value proposition of the council. “Participants must keep in mind that ECOWAS-ECOSOC is not just a bureaucratic institution,” he said. “It is envisioned as a dynamic bridge—a powerful collective voice that interfaces directly with decision-makers while also being an influential reverse conduit for engaging and amplifying the voice of the citizenry.”
The technical meeting is building upon earlier consultations, assessments, and policy dialogues that have been carried out in the initial phases of this initiative. It also forms part of a broader effort by ECOWAS to reinforce governance mechanisms that prioritize inclusivity, transparency, and sustainable peace.
Stakeholders at the event reiterated their commitment to ensuring that the ECOWAS-ECOSOC becomes a responsive and effective structure—capable of influencing policy direction at the regional level, while also ensuring that the perspectives and priorities of West Africa’s diverse populations are meaningfully reflected in the decision-making process.
As West Africa continues to grapple with complex political, security, and developmental challenges, the ECOSOC is being seen as a bold move toward giving the region’s citizens a stronger institutional voice in shaping its future.
