President Bola Tinubu is attending the 68th Ordinary Session of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja on Sunday.
However, Vice President Kashim Shettima is leading the Nigerian delegation at the summit, marking the first time he has headed the country’s team at an ECOWAS meeting held on home soil, while the President remains in the country. No official reason has been given for Tinubu’s decision to delegate the responsibility.
The summit, which commenced at 3:00 p.m. local time, includes a “special debate on the future of the Community,” according to a draft agenda obtained by Saturday PUNCH.
Also present at the meeting are several West African leaders, including:
President Julius Bio of Sierra Leone (current ECOWAS Chair)
President Patrice Talon of Benin
José Maria Neves of Cabo Verde
Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire
Adama Barrow of The Gambia
John Mahama of Ghana
Umaro Embaló of Guinea-Bissau
Joseph Boakai of Liberia
Bassirou Faye of Senegal
Faure Gnassingbé of Togo
Mahama returned to office as Ghana’s president in January 2025, succeeding Nana Akufo‑Addo.
Agenda Highlights Focus On Security, Economy
The draft agenda shows that the public session will include welcome remarks by the host, a statement by ECOWAS Commission President Dr Omar Touray, and an opening address by Chair Julius Bio.
UNOWAS Chief, Leonardo Santos Simão and African Union Commissioner Bankole Adeoye are also scheduled to speak before leaders move into a closed‑door session.
Key items for consideration include the 2025 State of the Community report, updates from the Mediation and Security Council, and a report on the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme.
Special reports on Guinea‑Bissau, the situation in Benin, confirmation of the host state for the West African Health Organisation headquarters, and the transition in Guinea are also on the agenda.
Sunday’s summit convenes after five turbulent years for West Africa, a period marked by multiple coups: Mali (2020, 2021), Burkina Faso (twice in 2022), and Niger (2023).
The disruptions fractured the regional order, with juntas in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso announcing withdrawal from ECOWAS in early 2024.
The latest flashpoints include an attempted coup in Benin on December 7, 2025, and renewed instability in Guinea‑Bissau — described by former President Goodluck Jonathan as a “ceremonial coup.”
Following the December 7 coup attempt, President Tinubu responded to appeals from the Beninese government by deploying jets and troops to help quell the attacks.
On December 9, the Nigerian Senate approved Tinubu’s request to send troops to the Republic of Benin to support the restoration of calm and stability.
Benin’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said about 200 West African soldiers, mainly from Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire, are in the country to assist the government.
Officials note that Benin’s stability has economic implications for Nigeria, given the heavy flow of Nigerian-bound cargo through Cotonou’s port, a major gateway for vehicles, consumer goods, and informal trade.
The Sèmè border crossing on the Lagos–Abidjan corridor remains one of West Africa’s busiest for commerce and commuting.
Additionally, China’s 2,000‑km Niger–Benin export pipeline, which carries crude to the offshore terminal at Sèmè‑Kpodji, is an energy lifeline for landlocked Niger and a strategic asset on Benin’s coast.
At the summit, leaders are also expected to review proposals on tighter security cooperation, sanctions mechanisms, and economic integration tools, including the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, to help stabilise the bloc.
The meeting will also include a review of Dr. Touray’s report and scheduling of the 69th Ordinary Session.