President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional integration, peace, and economic cooperation following the inauguration of the new headquarters of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Abuja.
Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima at the commissioning ceremony on Thursday, the President described the new headquarters as a symbol of renewal, resilience, and confidence in the future of West Africa. He also urged member states to transform ECOWAS from primarily a regional market into a regional production base capable of driving industrialisation, innovation, and shared prosperity.
The new complex, popularly referred to as the “Eye of Africa,” is expected to serve as the administrative headquarters of the regional bloc and a centre for advancing cooperation among ECOWAS member states.
Tinubu Calls for Economic Transformation
President Tinubu said the inauguration represented more than the opening of a new building, describing it as a renewed commitment to the founding ideals of regional unity, solidarity, and sustainable development.
He noted that while ECOWAS has made significant progress over the past five decades in promoting democratic governance, peacebuilding, free movement, and economic cooperation, the bloc must now focus on strengthening regional production and industrial capacity.
According to the President, West Africa can no longer rely heavily on imported goods if it hopes to achieve lasting economic independence.
“The hour has come to transform our regional market into a regional production base. Our integration must increasingly be driven by what we produce rather than by what we consume, for a Community that consumes what it does not make will forever live at the mercy of the goodwill of others.”
Tinubu stressed that industrialisation, manufacturing, innovation, regional value chains, and expanded intra-African trade should become the foundation of the next phase of ECOWAS integration.
Security Challenges Require Stronger Cooperation
The President acknowledged that West Africa continues to face serious security and socio-economic challenges, including terrorism, violent extremism, food insecurity, climate change, economic vulnerability, public health emergencies, and the demands of a rapidly growing youth population.
He said these realities demonstrate that regional integration must go beyond trade and economics.
According to him, ECOWAS now represents a comprehensive framework for ensuring collective security, political stability, sustainable development, and improved welfare for citizens across the sub-region.
Tinubu also referenced the recent withdrawal of three member states from the regional bloc, saying the development highlights the importance of sustained dialogue and unity.
He maintained that the ECOWAS community should continue to keep its doors open to countries that have chosen to withdraw while encouraging renewed engagement and cooperation.
Leaders Commend Nigeria’s Leadership
President Tinubu praised Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio, who currently serves as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, for providing steady leadership during a critical period for the organisation.
He also commended the ECOWAS Commission for successfully delivering the new headquarters project and thanked the Government of the People’s Republic of China for financing the construction.
The President equally acknowledged the contributions of Shaanxi Construction Engineering Group Company Limited, project consultants, Nigerian officials, and other stakeholders involved in delivering the landmark facility.
ECOWAS Leaders Renew Commitment
Speaking during the ceremony, President Julius Maada Bio described the inauguration as an opportunity for member states to renew their commitment to the more than 450 million people living across West Africa.
He said the true measure of leadership lies not in physical infrastructure but in the positive transformation of people’s lives.
Bio also praised Nigeria for its consistent financial support and leadership within ECOWAS, describing the country as “a great anchor” of the regional organisation.
China Reaffirms Support
President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, expressed appreciation to the Government and people of China for donating the new headquarters.
He described the building as a symbol of regional partnership that would strengthen coordination and improve the Commission’s ability to deliver on its expanding mandate.
Touray highlighted China’s long-standing support for ECOWAS through infrastructure development, technology cooperation, and assistance to the regional standby force.
Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Yu Dunhai, also congratulated ECOWAS on the completion of the headquarters, describing the project as another milestone in China’s support for African integration.
He said China remains committed to practical cooperation that supports Africa’s development priorities while respecting the continent’s independence in determining its own development path.
Symbol of a New Era
The commissioning of the new ECOWAS headquarters comes at a pivotal moment for the regional bloc as member states seek stronger economic cooperation while responding to security threats and changing geopolitical realities.
President Tinubu expressed confidence that decisions taken within the new headquarters would promote peace, unity, prosperity, and dignity for all West Africans, while helping ECOWAS build stronger institutions capable of meeting the challenges of the future.
