Nigeria, Benin sign pact on integration
President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, formally bowed out as Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), after two years of steering the bloc through a period of political turbulence and reform.
His Sierra Leonean counterpart, President Julius Bio, who succeeded him, promised a bold, people-centred agenda focused on restoring democratic order, revitalising security cooperation, deepening economic integration and rebuilding institutional trust.
As part of efforts to strengthen regional cooperation, Nigeria and the Republic of Benin signed a ground-breaking agreement to deepen bilateral integration.
This was revealed in a statement, yesterday, by the Special Adviser to the President Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Tinubu presided over the 67th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where leaders from across the sub-region gathered to deliberate on pressing security, economic and democratic challenges.
His exit marked the end of a tenure defined by diplomatic tension, regional realignments, and efforts to reposition ECOWAS as a more assertive force for stability and integration.
During Tinubu’s tenure, the regional bloc faced unprecedented challenges, including the withdrawal threats from Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, three countries now ruled by military juntas following coups that disrupted democratic governance.
ECOWAS, under Tinubu, responded with sanctions and diplomatic efforts to push for a return to civilian rule.
Despite sanctions and pressure, the region saw limited progress in reversing the coups, leading to questions about ECOWAS’s capacity to enforce democratic norms. Tinubu consistently called for dialogue and regional unity, advocating a blend of firm diplomacy and mediation.
Despite stepping down, Nigeria’s influence within the 15-nation bloc remains significant. As the region’s largest economy and most populous country, Nigeria continues to play a key role in shaping ECOWAS policies and responses.
In his acceptance speech at the 67th Ordinary Session in Abuja on Saturday, Bio said he was “humbled and grateful” to lead the regional bloc at a time of complex and urgent challenges facing West Africa.
“I accept this responsibility with full awareness of the magnitude of the task ahead and the complexity of the moment,” he said, pledging to uphold the values of peace, unity, and inclusive development.
He paid glowing tribute to Tinubu, whose two-year tenure he described as one marked by “unwavering commitment to regional dialogue, economic recovery, and peacebuilding.”
The pact between Nigeria and Niger, inked during the inaugural West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) in Abuja, is envisioned as a model for broader collaboration within ECOWAS.
The signing was graced by Tinubu and Benin Republic President, Patrice Talon.
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, signed on behalf of Nigeria.
Their counterparts from Benin, Minister of Industry and Trade, Shadiya Assouman, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Shegun Bakari, represented Benin.
Earlier, the Presidents of Sierra Leone and Benin delivered national statements at the summit, which preceded the 67th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, yesterday, at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
Representatives of other West African leaders delivered statements on regional integration and prosperity. At the same time, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, and the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, sent recorded video statements.
