President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone has been elected as the new Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government. He succeeds Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who held the position for the past two years.
The announcement was made during the 67th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority, held on Sunday in Abuja.
In his inaugural address, Bio outlined four strategic priorities for his tenure: restoring constitutional order, strengthening democracy, revitalising regional security, advancing economic integration, and reinforcing institutional credibility across the bloc.
“As Chair, I will prioritise four key areas: first, restoring constitutional order and deepening democracy. We must engage transitional governments constructively and support member states in building stronger democratic institutions rooted in the rule of law.
“Second, revitalising regional security cooperation, we must overhaul our collective security architecture, from intelligence sharing to rapid response, to confront new threats with unity and resolve.
“Third, unlocking economic integration. The ECOWAS liberalisation scheme, regional infrastructure, and cross-border value chains must become engines of jobs, trade, and resilience. Fourth, building institutional credibility.
“ECOWAS must reform itself to become more transparent, efficient, and responsive to the needs of its people,” he said.
Earlier, President Tinubu officially handed over the mantle of leadership during the high-level meeting, which brought together heads of state and key regional stakeholders.
“As I now hand over the mantle of leadership to my great friend and dear brother, His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, the new Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.
“I do so with a deep sense of fulfilment and optimism for the future of West Africa. I remain confident that with the continued cooperation of all its members, ECOWAS will scale greater heights in our collective pursuit of peace, security, stability, and prosperity for our people and our region,” Tinubu said.
Tinubu was first elected as ECOWAS Chairman on July 9, 2023, during a summit in Guinea-Bissau. He was re-elected in 2024 in Abuja, following a unanimous decision by member states to uphold continuity and stability in the region’s leadership.
Tinubu lauds ECOWAS leaders pledge to transform economic diplomacy in W/Africa
Meanwhile, President Tinubu has lauded the commitment of ECOWAS leaders to work towards reshaping economic diplomacy in West Africa and build a sub-region that works for all.
Tinubu, represented by the Vice-President Kashim Shettima, said this during a dinner organised for delegates attending the West African Economic Summit held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The President said a foundation had been laid for a better sub-region through a trade liberalisation scheme, the West African power pool and the Abidjan to Lagos corridor (the planned 1,028-kilometre highway that would connect five West African countries), among others.
He made reference to the trend in other regions of the world, adding that the West African sub-region’s economic story, which had been one of a missed opportunity, would end soon.
According to him, Asia operates 60 per cent of trade within its borders, Europe 70 per cent and Africa remains at a mere 15 per cent while West Africa is sadly even less.
”Through mechanisms such as the trade liberalisation scheme, the West African power pool, and the Abidjan to Lagos corridor, we have laid the foundation, we must build,” he said.
He noted that the inaugural West African Economic Summit was a declaration of intent and an initiative of his government to reshape economic diplomacy across West Africa.
This, according to him, is with a view to bring together leaders across the region and visionary voices to deliberate on its future.
”The summit, anchored by the deal room and a formal declaration, among others, represent a shift from aspiration to action and from talk to task.
”We are convinced today, more than ever, that the destiny of our region does not lie in the hands of government alone but in our ability to bring the private sector to the centre of our planning.”
President Tinubu emphasised the role of political leadership across Africa, noting that they were not here to complain but to facilitate.
“That is the spirit in which we are gathered here tonight, to remind ourselves that in this region, commerce shall not be shortened by Customs delays or innovation strangled by policy incoherence. We are truly a West Africa that works for all,” he added.
The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Alieu Touray, applauded President Tinubu’s leadership of the sub-regional body, acknowledging the commitment of the government of Nigeria to the peace and progress of the region.
He also thanked Nigeria for its support to ECOWAS and its various organs and institutions.
Tinubu noted that it underscored the country’s commitment to building a sub-region that worked for all irrespective of socio-political background and ethnic affiliations.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs Bianca Ojukwu, said the meeting of leaders and stakeholders in the business and economic sector represented a renewed commitment to a more prosperous West African sub-region.
She outlined ongoing efforts by leaders collaborating with other stakeholders and partners to harness the potentials and the energy of youths in the region.
This, according to her, is with a view to prepare them for the task of advancing the interest of the people and its development aspirations.