Akpoti-Uduaghan Advocates for ECOWAS Integration in Abuja

During the first extraordinary session of the ECOWAS parliamentary seminar in Abuja, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, called for stronger collaboration among member states to enhance economic integration within the region. She warned that the region risks undermining its economic ambitions by failing to build trust and cooperation within its borders.

Akpoti-Uduaghan emphasized that West African countries should prioritize joint initiatives over partnerships with external entities, citing a recent collaboration between Ghana and Germany on vaccine development as an example of what could be achieved within the region. She expressed concern over the growing tendency of West African nations to pursue foreign partnerships while neglecting intra-regional cooperation.

Akpoti-Uduaghan also highlighted the importance of fostering relationships among universities and promoting transparency and trust among parliamentarians to facilitate shared research and innovation across ECOWAS states. She concluded by addressing the emerging opportunities in the blue economy, urging West African countries to collaborate in maximizing trade potential.