Segun Atanda/
President Bola Tinubu addressed African leaders today during the Sixth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union (AU), presenting a detailed report on the progress and challenges faced by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
As the Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Tinubu highlighted several key achievements over the past year. He noted that ECOWAS has activated a Standby Force to combat terrorism and continues to explore funding options. The organization has also supported member states in enhancing electoral processes, deploying Election Observation Missions to Senegal and Togo, which were deemed peaceful and fair.
Among the notable successes, Tinubu mentioned the signing of an Agreement for National Unity in Sierra Leone, ongoing consultations to revise the ECOWAS 2001 Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, and significant strides in economic integration, such as the implementation of the ECOWAS interconnected System for the Management of Goods in Transit (SIGMAT) in 12 member states.
On the humanitarian front, ECOWAS allocated $9 million to assist refugees and internally displaced persons, supported member states in the fight against terrorism with $4 million, and invested in education and health initiatives, including the establishment of the West African Network of National Academies of Sciences and the African Forum for Research and Innovation.
Tinubu also emphasized efforts in energy, mines, and agriculture, with projects like the ECOWAS-Regional Electricity Access Project (ECOREAP) advancing electrification in The Gambia, Guinea Bissau, and Mali. Additionally, ECOWAS launched the Regional Off Grid Electricity Access Project (ROGEAP), approving 32 solar off-grid SMEs, including nine led by women.
Despite these accomplishments, Tinubu acknowledged the challenges ECOWAS faces, such as geopolitical rivalries, terrorism, food insecurity, climate change, and misinformation. He stressed the importance of dialogue with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to maintain regional unity and announced plans for a Special Extra-ordinary Summit on the future of the Community.
The meeting, themed “Educate and Skill Africa for the 21st Century,” served as a platform for aligning the work of the AU and Regional Economic Communities (RECs). On the sidelines, Tinubu met with President Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, reaffirming Nigeria’s leadership role in West Africa and the continent.
Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), reported on the proceedings and emphasized the continued collaboration between Nigeria and other African nations to advance common development goals.
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