ECOWAS 65th Session: President Tinubu Calls for Regional Standby Force and Re-Elected as Chairperson

President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, re-elected as the chairperson of ECOWAS, has called for a strong commitment from member states towards establishing and sustaining a regional standby force to ensure security and economic advancement. Speaking at the 65th Ordinary Session of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government in Abuja, President Tinubu emphasized the importance of security and stability for achieving the region’s potential.

He highlighted the success of the Regional Action Plan against Terrorism, which has improved cooperation on training, intelligence sharing, and humanitarian interventions. Recently, Finance and Defence Ministers met in Abuja to raise funds for activating the ECOWAS Standby Force to enhance counter-terrorism efforts. President Tinubu urged member countries to increase their defence budgets and provide the necessary resources for securing the region.

“A peaceful and secure society is essential for achieving our potential. The success of this plan requires not only strong political will but also substantial financial resources. We must meet the expectations and recommendations set forth by our Ministers of Defence and Finance to counter insecurity and stabilize our region,” he said.

President Tinubu also advised ECOWAS leaders to leverage the capabilities of Nigeria’s National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), proposing it as a regional center for capacity building and related opportunities.

In his remarks, ECOWAS Commission President Dr. Omar Alieu Touray thanked President Tinubu for his leadership and emphasized that ECOWAS should focus on development rather than conflicts. Touray noted that the exit of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from ECOWAS would impact citizens and require revisiting trade and development agreements.

The session also celebrated Senegal’s recent democratic election, which was acknowledged as free, fair, and credible, reinforcing the region’s commitment to democracy, good governance, and the rule of law. President Tinubu emphasized the need for unity, innovative approaches to economic development, and partnerships that promote investment and regional trade.