Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment to ECOWAS Integration

During the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government held in Lungi, Sierra Leone, on July 19, 2026, Vice President Kashim Shettima represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and reaffirmed Nigeria's commitment to regional integration, democratic governance, peace, security, and sustainable development across West Africa. Shettima underscored Nigeria's ongoing support for the implementation of the ECOWAS Compact, which aims to build a resilient and prosperous community centered on inclusivity.

He commended the government and people of Sierra Leone for successfully hosting the summit and congratulated President Julius Maada Bio on completing his tenure as ECOWAS Chairman. The Vice President stressed the importance of deeper economic integration, expanding intra-regional trade, and promoting food security.

He condemned recent xenophobic attacks against Africans in South Africa and highlighted Nigeria's successful evacuation of 1,490 citizens affected by these attacks. Shettima concluded by calling for collective action to achieve peace, security, and sustainable development in the sub-region.