Nigeria Urges ECOWAS to Engage Sahel States for Stability

The Federal Government of Nigeria has called on the new leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to strengthen engagement with the Alliance of Sahel States, which includes Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. This appeal was made by Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, during a handover ceremony for outgoing and incoming ECOWAS appointees in Abuja.

Enikanolaiye, representing President Bola Tinubu, reiterated Nigeria's dedication to the progress and stability of ECOWAS, highlighting that peace and security are essential for economic integration. He urged the new leadership to focus on implementing ECOWAS Vision 2050, which aims for a united and prosperous West Africa.

Key areas of attention include free movement, intra-regional trade, infrastructure development, and job creation. Enikanolaiye also emphasized the need for financial accountability within ECOWAS.

General Birame Diop has taken over as the new President of the ECOWAS Commission, succeeding Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, and Anthony Ogunjimi has been appointed as the new Vice-President.