ECOWAS Rallies West Africa Stakeholders in the Fight Against Corruption at the 7th NACIWA Forum in Abuja.
By Raymond Enoch
In a bold display of regional unity against corruption, the 7th Annual General Assembly (AGA) of the Network of National Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA) convened at the ECOWAS Commission Headquarters in Abuja. Themed “A United ECOWAS Against Corruption: Strengthening Regional Collaboration for Asset Recovery and Exchange of Information,” the Assembly brought together anti-graft leaders from across West Africa to adopt landmark frameworks aimed at curbing illicit financial flows and cross-border corruption.
The high-level gathering marked a turning point in West Africa’s anti-corruption crusade, with delegates adopting the ECOWAS Guidelines on Asset Tracing, Recovery and Management, and Borderless Investigations—a significant legal boost to the region’s anti-corruption arsenal.
Speaking on behalf of ECOWAS Commission President H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, the Commission’s Vice-President H.E. Damtien L. Tchintchibidja delivered a powerful opening statement. She highlighted the urgent need for collective action:
“The consequences of corruption are serious. Every Naira, Cedi, Dalasi, or CFA lost to corruption is a school not built, a hospital not equipped, a road never constructed or paved,”
she said, emphasizing that corruption is not just an economic issue, but a threat to public trust and governance across the region.
She reaffirmed the ECOWAS Commission’s unwavering commitment to implementing the 2001 ECOWAS Protocol on the Fight against Corruption, and called for harmonized legal frameworks among Member States to ensure effective regional enforcement.
The Assembly also marked a period of renewal for NACIWA, coinciding with the 50th Anniversary of ECOWAS. It featured a review of the outgoing Executive Committee’s three-year tenure. In his keynote address, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, Executive Chairman of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and President of NACIWA, reflected on key milestones, including, the operationalization of NACIWA’s permanent Secretariat in Abuja and
securing Observer Status in the UNODC’s GlobE Network
The formal designation of the EFCC Academy as a regional Centre of Excellence
“At this critical juncture, when our subregion faces questions about unity and democratic resilience, NACIWA’s role assumes unprecedented importance,”
Olukoyede stated.
“We must be perceived, and must act, as a stabilizing moral force—one that champions transparency, accountability, and the foundational values that define the ECOWAS vision.”
Mr. Aba Kimelabalou, Secretary General of NACIWA, delivered the vote of thanks, expressing deep appreciation to Member States, the EFCC, the Nigerian Presidency, and international development partners. He reserved special praise for the ECOWAS Commission’s leadership under H.E. Dr. Touray, calling its support “vital to building stronger institutions and achieving a corruption-free and prosperous West Africa.”
The Assembly concluded with a closed-door session of Heads of Member Institutions, where critical deliberations took place. A detailed communiqué is expected to follow, outlining newly adopted resolutions and the outcomes of Executive Committee elections.
As the ECOWAS region faces complex governance challenges, the 7th NACIWA Assembly represents a renewed regional commitment to integrity, institutional strength, and cross-border cooperation in the fight against corruption.
