Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu Leads Regional Diplomacy Ahead of West Africa Economic Summit.
By Raymond Enoch
In a renewed diplomatic drive across West Africa, Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Her Excellency Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has embarked on a high-level shuttle mission as Special Envoy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to formally invite regional leaders to the upcoming West Africa Economic Summit (WAES).
According to a press statement signed by the Ministry’s Chief Spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the Special Envoy visited The Gambia and Senegal on the 10th and 11th June, 2025 respectively, delivering official invitation letters on behalf of President Tinubu.
During her visit to Banjul, the Gambian capital, Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu was warmly received by President Adama Barrow, who welcomed Nigeria’s initiative and expressed appreciation for the summit’s focus on fostering intra-regional trade and investment. President Barrow emphasized the importance of African self-reliance, stating that the era of donor-dependency is fading amidst growing global economic shifts.
“The time is ripe for West Africa to embrace deeper regional cooperation,” President Barrow remarked, pledging The Gambia’s active participation in the summit, which he described as a “historic gathering” for economic integration.
Earlier, on June 10, the Nigerian delegation arrived in Dakar, where they were received by a high-ranking official of the Senegalese government and conveyed the President’s invitation.
The West Africa Economic Summit, a flagship initiative under President Tinubu’s leadership as Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), is scheduled to take place from June 20–21, 2025, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.
The Ministry noted that the summit will convene Heads of State, business leaders, development partners, and financial experts from across the sub-region, in a bold move to catalyze sustainable economic growth, attract regional investments, and deepen integration.
