Nigeria's Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on the new leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to urgently rebuild regional unity and bridge the widening divide between the bloc and countries now outside its fold. This call was made in New York, United States, on the margins of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly. Shettima emphasized that the survival and relevance of ECOWAS depend largely on its ability to deepen regional integration and strengthen bonds among West African countries.
The Vice President made the call when he received the new President of the ECOWAS Commission, General Birame Diop (rtd.), and his delegation. Shettima urged the new ECOWAS leadership to make reconciliation and engagement central to its agenda, particularly in light of the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger and the emergence of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). He stressed the need for ECOWAS to be at the forefront of engagement with emerging blocs in the area.
Shettima identified greater private-sector involvement in regional infrastructure development as critical to advancing economic integration. Specifically, he urged the new ECOWAS leadership to take private sector participation seriously in the execution of the Lagos-Abidjan Highway project. The proposed highway is envisaged as a major regional transport corridor linking some of West Africa's largest economies and commercial centers.
The Vice President congratulated Diop on his election, noting that his assumption of office came at a particularly difficult period requiring greater cohesion and synergy among governments and peoples of the sub-region. Shettima assured Diop of Nigeria's continued support, stressing that President Bola Tinubu remained committed to efforts aimed at strengthening the regional organization.
Diop acknowledged Nigeria's historic role in the creation and sustenance of ECOWAS, as well as the sacrifices made by the country towards maintaining stability and promoting prosperity across West Africa. He described Nigeria as a "big brother" whose support would be crucial to resolving some of the challenges confronting the regional bloc.
Diop also called on other West African countries to cooperate with Nigeria in promoting inclusive development and securing a better future for the people of the sub-region. He emphasized that ECOWAS remains an important instrument for regional stability and should therefore be encouraged and supported by member states.
The meeting was attended by several high-ranking officials, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); Nigeria's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, and senior officials of the ECOWAS Commission.
Key points
- Shettima urges ECOWAS to rebuild regional unity and bridge the divide with countries outside its fold.
- The Vice President emphasizes the need for greater private-sector involvement in regional infrastructure development.
- Diop acknowledges Nigeria's historic role in ECOWAS and solicits the country's continued support.
