Rasheeda Yahaya
The 95th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers opened on 10 December 2025 at the ECOWAS Commission Headquarters in Abuja with a firm call for renewed commitment to democratic governance, economic integration, and collective security across West Africa. Senior Government Officials, Heads of ECOWAS Institutions, Commissioners, Ambassadors, and members of the diplomatic community attended the ceremony, which highlighted both the achievements of the regional bloc and the urgent challenges it faces.
Declaring the session open, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, Her Excellency Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, welcomed delegates to Abuja for the 95th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, conveying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appreciation for their commitment to regional cooperation and the ECOWAS vision of peace, security, and shared prosperity.
She noted that 2025 marks ECOWAS’ 50th anniversary, celebrated across Member States, offering a moment to reflect on major achievements in free movement, economic integration, peacekeeping, and collaboration in critical sectors. She stated that these successes affirm the founders’ vision of unity and solidarity, while inspiring renewed ambition for a peaceful and prosperous region.
Ambassador Bianca highlighted current challenges, including political instability, unconstitutional changes of government, prolonged transitions, and governance deficits in some Member States. She stressed that these developments undermine democracy and threaten development gains, calling for collective resolve to defend constitutional order, promote inclusive dialogue, and support credible transitions.
She emphasized that economic integration remains central to ECOWAS, urging deeper trade, stronger value chains, and increased opportunities for the region’s young population.
She noted that the Ministers’ deliberations will cover governance, integration, humanitarian issues, peace and security, agriculture, and institutional reforms – guiding recommendations to the Heads of State.
Expressing confidence in the Council’s wisdom and cooperation, she called for actionable, forward-looking outcomes that reinforce citizens’ confidence in ECOWAS. She concluded by urging renewed commitment to shared values and welcomed participants to Abuja, wishing them fruitful deliberations.
H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, acknowledged Nigeria’s hospitality at a recent meeting, where the Council would address key topics such as the annual work programme, budget, financial status of ECOWAS institutions, community levies, and quality assurance reports. He highlighted ongoing efforts to boost regional resilience and resource mobilization for counterterrorism. He further announced the creation of the ECOWAS Business Council, with Alhaji Aliko Dangote as its first chair, aimed at fostering public-private dialogue and investments within West Africa. He urged support for restoring financial stability in the West African Power Pool, stressing the need for collective responsibility to sustain regional energy cooperation amidst challenges from national electricity company debts.
In his remarks, Honourable Timothy Kabba, Chair of the Council of Ministers and Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, underscored Sierra Leone’s commitment to regional collaboration with ECOWAS, as part of the integration vision established in the 1975 Treaty of Lagos.
He highlighted pressing challenges such as unconstitutional government changes, terrorism, and organized crime, particularly noting recent coups in Guinea-Bissau. Kabba praised ECOWAS’s unified response to these challenges and stressed the need for sustained pressure on transition authorities to restore constitutional order. He called for increased investment in regional security initiatives and highlighted the importance of improving intra-ECOWAS trade by leveraging existing trade agreements and frameworks. As the 95th Ordinary Session commenced, he urged delegates to engage in constructive dialogue, reaffirming ECOWAS’s commitment to democratic governance, regional stability, and economic transformation in West Africa.
