Leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have been urged by President Bola Tinubu to put forth great effort in addressing youth unemployment and poverty.
Along with encouraging inclusivity and peace, he also tasked them with making investments in education, innovation, and skill development.
In Accra, Ghana, on Tuesday, the President made these remarks at the formal opening of events planned to commemorate the ECOWAS Golden Jubilee.
Speaking through Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, the president said that ECOWAS was a visionary idea that its founders had conceived of on May 28, 1975, but that the idea had solidified.
He asserted that this was the reason why the member countries and their people were celebrating 50 years of progress, unity, and resilience while rekindling the spirit of friendship that had guided the region through both achievements and failures.
He congratulated Ghanaian President John Mahama, saying that his visionary leadership, unwavering dedication, and steadfast commitment to regional integration and development ideals had been an inspiration and a source of strength.
“Under your leadership, Ghana continues to be a shining example of democratic governance, economic development, and regional unity,” he stated. Our deepest gratitude and admiration are due to your efforts in promoting the betterment of our beloved region via cooperation, diplomacy, and revolutionary policies.
The Nigerian President also commended the tireless efforts and unwavering dedication of the ECOWAS Commission staff, noting that their professionalism, commitment, and collaborative spirit were instrumental in making the day’s event a resounding success.
He further highlighted the achievements of the subregional organisation in past especially in peacekeeping and promoting democratic governance.
His speech read in part: “Five decades ago, our founding fathers from 15 nations envisioned regional economic integration, cooperation, and shared prosperity. From the ashes of colonialism and the turbulence of post-independence struggles, they forged ECOWAS—a beacon of hope for our people. Their dream was not merely to dissolve borders but to build bridges of trade, cultural exchange, and mutual progress.
“From the original Treaty of Lagos in 1975 to this momentous gathering here in Accra, ECOWAS has remained a pillar of integration and a beacon of hope for over 400 million citizens across our region.
“Remarkably, our journey over the past five decades has not been without challenges. We have faced political instability, economic hardship, infrastructural deficits, and security threats. But we remain undaunted.
“We shall not relent in our commitment to a united, peaceful, purposeful, and prosperous West Africa.
“Your Excellencies and Distinguished Guests,” Today, we celebrate numerous remarkable achievements that distinguish ECOWAS as the most successful regional economic community on the African continent. We have established one of Africa’s most vibrant free trade areas in five decades, fostering intra-regional commerce and lifting millions from poverty.
“We have championed peace through ECOMOG’s valiant efforts, mediating conflicts in Liberia, Sierra Leone and The Gambia.
“We have introduced the ECOWAS passport, symbolising our commitment to free movement.
“We have also advanced democratic norms, standing firm against tyranny and supporting transitions to constitutional governance.
“However, the journey toward a truly united and prosperous region is far from over. We must confront the hard truths of our present reality.
“Despite our shared vision, too many of our citizens still live in poverty, too many of our children lack access to quality education, and too many of our youth remain unemployed, disillusioned, or forced to seek opportunities abroad.
“Our region continues to grapple with new and evolving threats — violent extremism, climate change and food insecurity. The wave of unconstitutional changes in our region seriously threatens the democratic gains we have painstakingly built.
“As the current Chair of ECOWAS, I reaffirm Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to the fundamental principles that bind us: democracy, the rule of law, good governance, and regional solidarity. These are not just ideals; they are the foundations for peace, development, and the dignity of our people.
“In this new chapter, we must reimagine ECOWAS as not just a Community of States but a Community of People.
“We must place our young, dynamic, creative, and resilient people at the centre of our agenda. We must invest in education, innovation, and skills development to unleash the full potential of Africa’s future. We must seek to expand the frontiers of democracy. We must limit the forays of unconstitutional rule into the democratic space. We must always seek peace towards achieving the collaborations needed for development.
“We must also deepen our economic cooperation, support intra-regional trade, and ensure that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) becomes a vehicle for genuine transformation. A prosperous West Africa is good for Africa and the world.
“In deepening our integration, we must accelerate the realisation of a single currency and strengthen infrastructure corridors to connect markets and minds.Your Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,”Let us use this Jubilee as a moment of renewal. Let us rededicate ourselves to the spirit of Pan-Africanism that inspired our founders. Let us build an ECOWAS that is more resilient, more inclusive, and more responsive to the needs of our people.
“This moment calls for a renewed commitment to fostering unity and solidarity among Member States. It is a time to strengthen the bonds that tie us together through shared values, collective responsibility, and a common vision for a prosperous region.
“In hopes of reconciliation and reintegration, we must remain open and willing to engage in sustained, constructive dialogue with our estranged brothers, those Member States currently outside our fold.
“At the same time, there is an urgent need to implement bold, comprehensive reforms that will enhance our institutions’ effectiveness, relevance, and credibility to meet the challenges of today and the future.
“By embracing these imperatives, the organisation can better respond to its people’s evolving needs and advance sustainable development, stability, and prosperity across the region.”
According to him, cooperation and unity of purpose are necessary because a tree in the forest cannot stand alone.
Tinubu emphasized that: “Our strength lies in our unity. As a proud member, Nigeria pledges to collaborate with every nation—large or small—to build an ECOWAS that is resilient to confront the challenges of our time.”May the next 50 years be etched in history as an era when West Africa rose—united, prosperous, and unstoppable.”
