President Bola Tinubu on Sunday officially handed over the chairmanship of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government to Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio during the 67th Ordinary Session of the regional bloc held in Abuja.
Tinubu, who assumed the ECOWAS chairmanship in July 2023, concluded his two-year tenure by symbolically presenting the leadership emblem to Bio. In his remarks, he expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him and optimism about the region’s future.
“As I hand over the mantle of leadership to my friend and brother, President Julius Maada Bio, I do so with a deep sense of fulfilment and optimism for the future of West Africa,” Tinubu said. “With continued cooperation among member states, I am confident ECOWAS will achieve greater strides in peace, security, and prosperity for our region.”
Reflecting on his time in office, Tinubu highlighted the complex political and security challenges facing West Africa and emphasized the importance of preserving democratic values while promoting inclusive economic growth.
“Our commitment to integration must be balanced with addressing political instability and governance issues,” he noted. “Economic progress cannot thrive in an unstable political environment.”
He called on regional leaders to prioritise youth, women, and vulnerable groups, urging deeper collaboration and diplomacy in tackling the region’s evolving needs.
Tinubu also commended ECOWAS institutions and staff for their professionalism and reiterated his support for regional unity and development. “As you return to your respective countries, let us stay committed to building a secure, united, and prosperous West Africa,” he added.
In his acceptance speech, President Bio outlined four core priorities for his tenure: restoring constitutional order and strengthening democracy, revitalising regional security cooperation, boosting economic integration, and enhancing institutional transparency.
He pledged to lead a people-focused and action-driven ECOWAS in response to the region’s challenges and opportunities.
“We must constructively engage transitional governments and support member states in building resilient democratic institutions,” Bio said. “Our collective security architecture must be reformed to respond effectively to emerging threats.”
Bio also emphasised the need to make the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme and regional infrastructure key drivers of trade, employment, and resilience—particularly for youth and women.
He praised Tinubu for laying a strong foundation of regional dialogue, peacebuilding, and economic recovery, stating, “I am honoured to build upon your legacy of leadership and cooperation.”
Addressing the broader context, Bio acknowledged the mounting threats facing West Africa, including terrorism, illicit arms trade, political instability, and transnational crime, especially in the Sahel and coastal areas.
“The democratic space is under pressure in parts of our region,” he said. “But citizens—especially the youth—are demanding not just elections, but accountability, transparency, and meaningful participation in national life.”
President Bio’s chairmanship comes at a critical time for ECOWAS, with calls growing for renewed efforts to strengthen regional governance, economic resilience, and collective security across West Africa.