ECOWAS at 50: Amb. Tuggar Says Celebration’s Revalidation of Our Shared Vision
By Raphael Ekpang
Abuja (Core Reporters) Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has stated that the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is not just a celebration, but a revalidation of our shared vision. Stating that Nigeria is not only a founding member of ECOWAS-”we are shaping its future.”
Amb. Tuggar made this known on Monday, May 26, 2025 in Abuja during a world press conference heralding the event slated for May 28, at Lagos, Nigeria.
However, Tuggar declared Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to regional unity, economic integration, and diplomatic restoration—despite the bloc navigating the challenges of military-led departures from key member states.
He described the upcoming anniversary as both a moment of reflection and a renewed call to action for the region’s future.
“This is not just a celebration — it’s a revalidation of our shared vision,” said Tuggar. “Nigeria is not only a founding member of ECOWAS; we are shaping its future.”
Ambassador Tuggar highlighted Nigeria’s leadership in spearheading ambitious cross-border infrastructure projects, including the Abidjan-Lagos and Abidjan-Dakar trade corridors, and the proposed 15-nation gas pipeline expected to extend to Morocco and Europe. These, he said, are testaments to Nigeria’s long-standing commitment to West African integration.
He also praised Nigeria’s pivotal role in regional policy standardization in sectors such as energy, health, and water, describing the ECOWAS Community Levy — a self-sustaining financial mechanism initiated with Nigeria’s influence — as a “quiet revolution” in regional self-financing.
On Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso pulled out, Amb. Tuggar said Ecowas has done its best in giving the three countries the opportunity to remain in the Community.
When pressed on why the regional bloc is keen on moving its facilities out of Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali, he said: “That is what the countries signed up for. If you are a member, then you have the right to host. If you leave, then unfortunately they have to relocate to other places.
“West Africa health organizations for instance have to leave Burkina Faso, and there’s even hot competition among the member states to host. That’s unfortunately the rules and regulations they all signed up to.
“But it doesn’t mean that we are not hopeful that those countries will come back to the ECOWAS fold. I was in Niger not quite long ago, and they made it clear to us that they have not ruled out a return in the future
While fielding questions from Journalists on the rising insecurity and arms trafficking in the region, the Minister noted that much of the proliferation traces back to the collapse of Libya, which created a dangerous vacuum. However, he assured the public that ECOWAS is taking active steps to curb these trends through the establishment of a regional standby force, with strong backing from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We’re not folding our arms. ECOWAS is implementing collaborative security measures, and Nigeria is playing a leading role,” he Concluded.
