Tinubu reaffirms commitment to West Africa as new ECOWAS headquarters opens

President Bola Tinubu has said that the opening of the new headquarters of the Economic Community of West African States in Abuja will strengthen the commitment to regional unity, peace, industry, and shared wealth in West Africa.

He called the new building a sign of renewal, strength, and belief in the future of ECOWAS. He urged a move from just being a regional market to becoming a regional production center.

At the commissioning of the new building on Thursday in Abuja, President Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, said the new ECOWAS complex, known as the “Eye of Africa,” shows the region’s shared commitment to uphold the ideals of the community that started over fifty years ago.

“Today marks not only the inauguration of an impressive landmark, but the renewal of a covenant, our covenant with the ideals of regional integration, solidarity and shared prosperity,” the president said.

President Tinubu noted that ECOWAS has become one of the most respected regional economic groups globally, achieving significant progress in peace, democracy, economic cooperation, and the free movement of people, goods, and services.

But he cautioned that the region must not overlook the serious challenges it faces, including terrorism, violent extremism, economic instability, food shortages, climate change, public health issues, and the needs of a growing young population.

According to him, the next phase of West African integration needs to move from talk and plans to real economic changes.

“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,” the president said.

He said there needs to be more industrial growth, stronger regional supply chains, increased trade within the region, innovation, manufacturing, and investment to shape the future of ECOWAS.

The president also talked about the recent exit of three member states from the group. He noted that the changing security situation in the region shows that integration should not only be seen as an economic issue.

“Regional integration can no longer be an economic imperative alone. It has become a framework for our shared security, political stability, sustainable development, and the welfare of our people,” he stated.

He emphasized that the community should keep its doors open to countries that have stepped back, highlighting the need for renewed talks, deeper solidarity, and shared responsibility.

President Tinubu praised President Julius Bio of Sierra Leone, who chairs the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, for showing steady leadership in these challenging times.

He also congratulated the president and team at the ECOWAS Commission for completing the project, saying the new headquarters shows the region’s commitment to build lasting institutions.

He expressed gratitude from Nigeria and ECOWAS to the government of China for funding the new complex, along with Shaanxi Construction Engineering Group Company Limited, consultants, Nigerian partners, and other stakeholders involved in the project.

“May every decision taken within these walls advance the peace, unity, prosperity, and dignity of the peoples of West Africa,” the president said.

Earlier, the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Julius Bio of Sierra Leone, said the new project gives member states a chance to renew their commitment to the 450 million people of West Africa, while stating their shared goal to create a more effective regional body.

He said history remembers generations not for the buildings they make, but for the lives they change.

He thanked President Bola Tinubu for Nigeria’s strong support for ECOWAS through consistent financial and leadership help over the years, calling Nigeria “a great anchor” of the West African group.

He also thanked the Government of China for its “generous donation” of the headquarters building.

For his part, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, showed the commission's gratitude to the government and people of China for the generous donation of the new building, which he said will symbolize regional partnership and unity, and a center for enhancing coordination and support for ECOWAS's growing role.

He recalled China’s support in many areas across ECOWAS, including backing for the regional standby force and technology support, noting that China is one of the region’s most important partners for economic, political, and social development.

Mr Touray mentioned that the commission's management and staff know the responsibilities ahead and the need to ensure that the new headquarters serves as a center for regional change and social stability.

In a goodwill message, the Ambassador of China to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Yu Dunhai, offered his country’s congratulations to the leaders and people of West Africa on the opening of the building, which he said marks another step in China’s commitment to Africa’s unity and shows the strong ties between the country and Africa.

Mr Dunhai added that the future of China’s relationship with ECOWAS and Africa depends on mutual trust and a commitment to practical cooperation that allows Africa to define its development goals and paths.