Amanze Chinonye
Ministers of Foreign Affairs from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have opened the 95th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers in Abuja, with a sweeping agenda aimed at strengthening governance, accelerating regional integration, and bolstering economic resilience across the subregion.
The three-day session, which began on 10 December 2025, will scrutinise key memoranda and approve the 2026 work programme and budget for ECOWAS institutions.
Ministers are also expected to review the Community’s financial position, evaluate the implementation of the ECOWAS levy protocol, and examine reports from the Auditor General and the Audit Committee measures officials say are essential for deepening transparency and accountability within the bloc.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelBeyond governance and financial oversight, the Council is considering proposals on regional resilience, monetary integration, and resource mobilisation for the operationalisation of the ECOWAS Counter-Terrorism Force.
The meeting will also assess policy resolutions from the Board of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), a move aimed at tightening financial cooperation and reinforcing economic stability across Member States.
In his opening remarks, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, announced the appointment of Nigerian industrialist Alhaji Aliko Dangote as the pioneer Chairperson of the newly restructured ECOWAS Business Council. The Council, he noted, will serve as a strategic platform to strengthen dialogue between the private sector, Member States, and ECOWAS institutions.
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“As ECOWAS marks 50 years, we are positioning this Council as a catalyst for private-sector-led growth, intra-regional investment, and resilience against global economic shocks,” Dr. Touray said.
He highlighted a renewed momentum for regional investments, citing major economic and investment fora recently hosted by Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Senegal. Sierra Leone, he added, has also submitted a proposal to host a West Africa Economic Investment Summit signals, according to him, of growing confidence in regional capital mobilisation.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, welcomed delegates and emphasised that the Council’s decisions would guide the recommendations to be presented to the Authority of Heads of State and Government. She said the agenda spans economic integration, peace and security, agriculture, humanitarian affairs, governance reforms, and institutional strengthening.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu stressed the imperative of deepening intra-regional trade and improving economic opportunities for the region’s over 400 million citizens, 65 percent of whom are young people under the age of 25.
Chairman of the Council and Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Timothy Kabba, urged stronger cooperation to address persistent challenges, including insecurity, economic stress, and political instability. He condemned recent political unrest in Benin Republic and Guinea-Bissau, warning that acts undermining constitutional order threaten the fabric of the Community.
“Our swift and coordinated responses demonstrate our resolve to uphold peace and stability,” Kabba said. “We must honour the vision of our forefathers who laid the foundation of a Community built on cooperation, unity, and collective progress.”
As the regional body enters its next 50 years, ECOWAS acknowledged both the strides made and the significant challenges ahead from unconstitutional changes of government to governance deficits in some Member States. Still, the organisation reaffirmed its commitment to building a resilient, peaceful, and economically dynamic West Africa.
The Community urged all stakeholders to recommit to shared values and consolidate gains to ensure a future marked by stability, opportunity, and sustainable development for the region’s next generation.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
