Nigeria has emphasised the urgent need to transform the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) into an operational mechanism for regional peace and stability.
Maj-Gen. Umar Abubakar, Director, Peacekeeping and Regional Security, Ministry of Defence, stated this on Wednesday in Abuja at a Governmental Experts’ Validation Meeting on the ESF Training Policy for Peace Support Operations.

The meeting brought together technical experts and strategic partners to finalise and validate the ESF’s training policy on peace support operations.

“This is a pivotal moment for ECOWAS. The policy we are validating today will transform our Standby Force from concept to reality.

“It will ensure we are prepared to respond swiftly and effectively to conflicts across the region and also serve as a standby brigade of the African Standby Force.

“Let us work together to finalise a policy that reflects both our regional realities and our ambition for peace,” Abubakar said. Dr Sani Adamu, ECOWAS Acting Head, Peace Support Operations Division, in a keynote address, highlighted the vision behind the policy and its relevance in the contemporary operational context.

Adamu said that the policy was not just a document but a framework that would integrate human rights observance, gender, civilian protection, and post-conflict recovery.

According to him, it lays the foundation for a responsive and professional force that can meet the complexity of today’s peace support operations.

“Today, as we focus our attention on the development and implementation of the ECOWAS Standby Force training policy, we recognize the significance of this initiative in addressing the complex, dynamic challenges of Peacekeeping in West Africa.

“This policy is not only a guide but a comprehensive framework designed to enhance the skills, coordination, and readiness of the standby force, and ensure they are trained adequately to manage and resolve conflicts,” he said.

As we refine the operational readiness and effectiveness of the EST, we must recognise that true security is not only about arms and strategy, but it is also about leveraging our collective strengths and resources to foster a sustainable peace and security.”

Also speaking, Mrs Yvonne Akpasom, representing GIZ under the ECOWAS Peace, Security and Governance (EPSG) Project, reaffirmed the role of technical partners in supporting regional transformation.

“GIZ is proud to support ECOWAS in developing a training policy that is comprehensive, operational, and aligned with global standards.