Forty-two days after being sworn-in as President of Nigeria, Senator Bola Tinubu emerged the 37th Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). He is the 9th Head of State from Nigeria to lead the regional political and economic union.

He emerged the new helmsman during the organisation’s 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community in Bissau, capital of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau on Sunday.

He takes over the leadership of the 48-year-old organisation from Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea Bissau.

Speaking at the meeting, Tinubu emphasised the need to protect the democratic culture in the sub-region, saying “we will take democracy seriously. Democracy is very tough but it is the best form of government”.

President Tinubu in his speech said insecurity and creeping terrorism were stunting the progress and development of the region and called for collective action from member-states, pledging that under his leadership, frameworks would be harmonized to actualize the dreams of ECOWAS.

“On peace and security, the threat has reached an alarming level and needs urgent actions in addressing the challenges. Indeed, without a peaceful environment, progress and development in the region will continue to remain elusive. In this regard, we must remain committed to the utilisation of all regional frameworks at our disposal to address the menace of insecurity,” he declared.

The president noted that ECOWAS had developed a security architecture, which “covers a wide range of areas that involved kinetic and non-kinetic operations, including preventive diplomacy. There is also the Regional Plan of Action on Fight against Terrorism 2020-2024 as well as the operationalization of the ECOWAS Standby Force on Fight Against Terrorism.

“I will ensure that we immediately harmonize these plans and mobilize resources as well as the political will towards the actualisation of the initiatives. As terrorists do not respect boundaries, we must work collectively to have an effective regional counterterrorism measure,” he said.

On his emergence as Chairman on his first participation at the summit, having just started out as the elected leader of Nigeria, President Tinubu stated that he was humbled and honoured by the trust to assume the leadership of the regional body, pledging his commitment to serve the interest of the community.


He said: “Indeed, I’m humbled and honoured by this trust, and want to assure you of my unalloyed commitment to provide the necessary leadership with a dedication to serve the interest of the community.”

To underscore his commitment towards regional integration, the Nigerian leader declared that he would prioritize political stability, peace and security, regional economic integration and strengthening of the ECOWAS institutions, declaring that democracy and good governance remain the abiding cornerstone of peace and sustainable development.

While decrying the emerging pattern of coup d’etat in West Africa where soldiers have truncated the popular mandate, President Tinubu charged ECOWAS to stand firm in defence of democracy.

“We must stand firm on democracy. There is no governance, freedom and rule of law without Democracy. We will not accept coup after coup in West Africa again. Democracy is very difficult to manage but it is the best form of government.

“There is no one here among us who did not campaign to be a leader. We didn’t give our soldiers resources, we didn’t invest in them, in their boots, in their training to violate the freedom of the people. To turn their guns against civil authorities is a violation of the principles upon which they were hired, which is, to defend the sovereignty of their nations. We must not sit in ECOWAS as toothless bulldogs,” the President warned.

As the Chairman, he will play a crucial role in leading the ECOWAS member states towards economic development, political stability, and cooperation. President Tinubu will collaborate closely with member states, regional institutions, and international partners to implement initiatives aimed at promoting economic growth, regional trade integration, and social development.

Additionally, he is expected to focus on strengthening the ECOWAS’ collective response to security threats and fostering closer cooperation among member states in addressing regional challenges.

The ECOWAS was established on 28 May 1975, with the signing of the Treaty of Lagos, with its stated mission to promote economic integration across the region. A revised version of the treaty was agreed and signed on 24 July 1993 in Cotonou.

Only Chief Ernest Shonekan out of all past and present Heads of States of Nigeria that was not privileged to have chaired ECOWAS. General Yakubu Gowon under whose leadership the organization was formed was the foundation Chairman of ECOWAS.

General Olusegun Obasanjo was Chairman 1977-1979; General Ibrahim Babangida 1985-1989; General Sani Abacha 1996-1998; General Abdusalam Abubakar 1998-1999; Umaru Musa Yar’ardua 2008-2010; Dr. Goodluck Jonathan 2010-2012; President Muhammadu Buhari 2018-2019 and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu 2023.

President Tinubu upon his arrival in in Guinea-Bissau, on Saturday visited Nigerian troops on ground and assured them that Nigeria is committed to preserving peace and upholding democratic stability in West Africa.

“I am here to show solidarity with you. I want to assure you we are committed to supporting peace and democracy not only in West Africa but around the world,” Tinubu told Nigerian troops stationed in Guinea-Bissau under the ECOWAS Stabilisation Force.

It would be recalled that the Guinea-Bissau president visited President Bola Tinubu at his residence in Lagos on July 1, 2023. Commenting on the visit, Mr. Dele Alake, Special Adviser to the President said “He came to pay his solidarity and bond with a brother African Head of State, in the first instance, and in particular as a brother Head of State in West Africa,” Alake revealed.

The presidential adviser also noted that the visit allowed Embaló, who was then the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, to reinforce the fraternal relations between the two countries.