President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on fellow ECOWAS leaders to shift from making promises to delivering tangible results that directly impact the lives of West Africans—especially young people and women.
Speaking in Lagos at the 50th anniversary celebration of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Tinubu, who currently chairs the regional bloc, acknowledged the group’s achievements in trade integration, peacekeeping, and regional unity. However, he emphasized that more must be done to improve lives across the region.
“We are lagging behind on implementation,” Tinubu said. “Let our citizens feel the real impact of our shared efforts.”
He stressed the importance of investing in the youth and empowering women by expanding access to education, business opportunities, and leadership roles. “We must mentor them. Their success is the key to the future. We want to hand a banner without stain to you—the youth of West Africa.”
Honouring Founders, Facing Challenges
President Tinubu paid tribute to retired General Yakubu Gowon, Nigeria’s former Head of State and the only surviving founding leader of ECOWAS. He praised the organisation’s early visionaries for uniting countries across language divides and promoting free movement within the region.
While celebrating past achievements, Tinubu highlighted ongoing challenges, including insecurity, food insecurity, and a lack of follow-through on regional plans. “Our biggest challenge now is implementation. The work of unity must continue,” he said.
Nigeria’s Continued Commitment
Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for regional development through initiatives such as the Technical Aid Corps, which deploys skilled professionals to assist other ECOWAS nations. He also expressed strong backing for new regional projects, including the ECOWAS Infrastructure Master Plan and the Ecogo digital integration platform.
“Let us imagine a West Africa where our economies thrive through joint effort… where our people, diverse yet bound by destiny, work together towards peace, prosperity, and justice,” he said.
