Tinubu’s Special Envoy Amb. Bianca Deliver WAES Invitation to President Gnassingbé of Togo
Lome (Core Reporters) As part of ongoing diplomatic engagements ahead of the West Africa Economic Summit 2025, Nigeria’s Special Envoy and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and her delegation were received by the President of the Togolese Republic, H.E. Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, at the Presidential Palace in Lomé. The team is made up of the Senior Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs to Mr. President, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye and Ambassador Innocent Iwejuo, Director office of the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
The meeting was convened to formally extend an invitation from the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to attend the inaugural West Africa Economic Summit scheduled to take place in Abuja, Nigeria, from June 20–21, 2025.
According to a statement by the Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, discussions between Amb. Odumegwu-Ojukwu and the Togolese president Gnassingbé reinforced the longstanding ties between Nigeria and Togo – two nations with a deep history of diplomatic cooperation and a shared vision for regional peace, prosperity, and integration.
President Gnassingbé welcomed the initiative, commending President Tinubu for his leadership in convening such a timely summit. He emphasised the need for West African leaders to intensify collaboration through trade, economic partnerships, security cooperation, youth empowerment, and joint efforts in sustainable development, underpinned by peace and social dialogue.
WAES 2025 continues to serve as a unifying platform for regional transformation. The presence and participation of leaders like President Gnassingbé are key to advancing a stronger, more integrated West Africa.
In the same vein, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and her delegation were warmly received by the President of the Republic of Ghana H.E. Mr John Mahama, on 12th June 2025, who was excited to receive the Special Invitation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the First West African Economic Summit holding in Abuja, Nigeria on 20th-21st June 2025.
Receiving the invitation from the Envoy, President Mahama stated that WAES is an initiative which time is long overdue. He congratulated President Tinubu for demonstrating capacity and excellent leadership in the subregion. He assured the Special Envoy that he would honour the “Big brother’s” invitation with a high-powered delegation.
Also, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu Ojukwu delivered Mr President’s Special Invitation to the President of the Republic of Benin, H.E. Patrice Talon at his Residence on Saturday, 14th June 2025.
