The Federal Government of Nigeria has congratulated the new leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission following the formal assumption of office by H.E. Retired General Birame Diop of Senegal as President of the ECOWAS Commission and H.E. Mr. Anthony Ogunjimi of Nigeria as Vice President.
The new leadership assumed office following the completion of the four-year tenure of the outgoing President, H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray of The Gambia, and other statutory appointees. A formal welcome and send-off ceremony, held on 31st August 2026 at the Commission’s new headquarters in Abuja, marked an important transition in the leadership of the regional organisation.
Speaking on behalf of the Government of Nigeria during the ceremony, the Honourable Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, urged the new ECOWAS leadership to prioritise the effective implementation of regional programmes and projects that deliver tangible, measurable and sustainable benefits to citizens of the Community. He stressed that ECOWAS must remain focused on initiatives that improve livelihoods, strengthen regional integration and contribute meaningfully to peace, security and sustainable development across West Africa.
Ambassador Enikanolaiye reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to ECOWAS and its regional integration agenda, emphasising that the Community’s relevance and effectiveness would ultimately be measured by its ability to translate policies, programmes and collective commitments into improvements in the lives of West Africans. He further underscored the need for ECOWAS to justify the sacrifices and investments made by Member States, including through the Community Levy, in order to sustain the Organisation.
The Federal Government of Nigeria commends the outgoing President, H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, and the outgoing statutory appointees for their service and contributions towards advancing the ECOWAS regional integration project during their tenure. Nigeria appreciates their efforts in strengthening the institutions of the Community and advancing programmes aimed at promoting regional peace, stability, economic integration and development.
Nigeria also appreciates the new leadership’s call for renewed unity, solidarity and mutual respect among ECOWAS Member States as essential foundations for advancing regional integration, peace, security and shared prosperity. Nigeria appreciates the new President’s commitment to maintaining open channels of communication with all entities and organisations within the region while pursuing pragmatic and mutually beneficial cooperation on matters of common interest.
Nigeria looks forward to working closely with the new leadership of the ECOWAS Commission and other Member States to strengthen regional cooperation, sustain dialogue and promote practical solutions to the challenges confronting the sub-region. In particular, Nigeria supports continued engagement on security, connectivity, free movement of persons, cross-border initiatives and other areas of shared strategic interest.
As ECOWAS enters a new phase under its new leadership, Nigeria remains confident that renewed commitment to unity, effective institutional cooperation and citizen-centred regional programmes will improve livelihoods, help restore confidence in the integration process and advance the vision of a peaceful, united, connected, prosperous and resilient West Africa.
Signed:
Oluwafemi Adeniyi
Spokesperson
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja
Friday, 11 September 2026
