President Bola Tinubu, on Sunday in Abuja, handed over the chairmanship of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government to President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone.
The 67th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority concluded with the symbolic transfer of the ECOWAS Emblem to President Bio. Tinubu described his tenure as both a “profound honour and privilege,” noting that he remained “deeply humbled by the trust and support extended to him throughout his two-term tenure.”
“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,” Tinubu said. “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.”
Reflecting on the complexities faced during his leadership, Tinubu acknowledged the region’s recent political and security challenges and urged member states to remain committed to the evolving aspirations of their citizens.
“Let us deepen cooperation, uphold diplomatic principles, and foster inclusive growth that leaves no one behind—especially our youth, women, and vulnerable populations, who remain central to the future of our region,” he said.
He further stressed that democratic values must be preserved, stating that political stability and economic development are inseparable.
“Our organisation must continue to strike a fine balance between its core regional mandate of economic integration and the complex political, security, and governance challenges, including the preservation of democratic values in our region,” Tinubu noted. “Economic integration cannot be superimposed on an untenable political environment. That is why we must remain steadfast in our resolve to rise to these emerging challenges.”
The Nigerian leader also praised the ECOWAS Commission, community institutions, and technical staff for their dedication and professionalism in ensuring the summit’s success. He reaffirmed his commitment to West Africa’s shared vision and called for continued unity.
“As you return to your respective countries, let us remain resolute in our shared mission to deepen our integration, protect our people, and build a prosperous, secure, and united West Africa,” he said.
In his acceptance speech, President Julius Maada Bio outlined four key priorities for his tenure as ECOWAS Chairman. He pledged to lead a renewed, people-centred, and action-driven regional bloc capable of addressing West Africa’s pressing challenges.
“We must engage transitional governments constructively and support member states in building stronger democratic institutions rooted in the rule of law,” Bio said. “We must overhaul our collective security architecture—from intelligence sharing to rapid response capabilities—to confront new threats with unity and resolve.”
He emphasized the need to unlock economic integration through the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, regional infrastructure, and cross-border value chains, which he said should serve as engines of job creation and resilience for women and youth.
“ECOWAS must reform itself to become more transparent, efficient, and responsive to the needs of its people. This is how we will rebuild trust in regional cooperation,” he added.
President Bio also paid tribute to Tinubu’s leadership, saying, “I am humbled to build upon the strong foundation you have established,” and thanked him for his “experience and leadership.”
Highlighting the region’s fragile political landscape, Bio acknowledged that West Africa is at a crossroads, citing challenges like terrorism, illicit arms flow, political instability, and transnational crime—particularly in the Sahel and coastal areas.
“The democratic space is under strain in parts of our region. In some countries, the constitutional order has been disrupted. Yet, across West Africa, citizens—especially our youth—are demanding not just elections, but also accountability, transparency, and a fair stake in national life,” he said.