By Amofokhai Williams
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has voiced concern over the slow pace in operationalising the ECOWAS Standby Force, calling on West African leaders to urgently transform the concept into an active and effective regional security mechanism.
Speaking at the opening of the 67th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Abuja, Tinubu—who was addressing the gathering for the final time as chairman—stressed the need for collective regional security in the face of growing transnational threats.
“The ECOWAS Standby Force must move from concept to operational reality. I am a little bit worried about the slow pace of its activation, which is taking longer than desired,” he said.
The President emphasised that the threats confronting West Africa—ranging from terrorism to organised crime—are beyond the capacity of any single nation to handle alone.
“These threats are transnational, driven by agile and dangerous networks that respect no borders. We must strengthen coordination, amplify political will, and adopt a joint approach to secure our region,” he added.
Tinubu outlined key achievements during his tenure, including the completion of the ECOWAS Military Logistics Depot in Lungi, Sierra Leone—a major step towards strengthening regional security capacity.
“Last February in Addis Ababa, Nigeria signed the Sixth Agreement with the African Union. Now, with the depot completed, Nigeria is committed to sea-lift and air-lift arrangements in support of ECOWAS deployments,” he said.
He also reaffirmed Nigeria’s diplomatic efforts to re-engage Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, whose governments had withdrawn from the regional bloc following political upheavals.
“I used every available diplomatic channel to dialogue with our brothers in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. I remain optimistic that they will soon return to the ECOWAS family,” Tinubu noted.
Beyond security, Tinubu called for accelerated economic integration, urging leaders to eliminate trade barriers, empower private sector players, and stimulate innovation to drive inclusive development.
“Despite our immense economic potential, intra-regional trade remains disappointingly low. We must remove barriers and create an enabling environment for the private sector and young innovators,” he said.
He further highlighted major infrastructure projects—such as the West African Gas Pipeline, the West African Power Pool, and the Abidjan–Lagos Corridor Highway—as critical to unlocking the region’s growth potential.
President Tinubu concluded by encouraging unity among ECOWAS member states, stressing that peace, security, and prosperity could only be achieved through shared commitment and cooperation.
“Let us remain resolute in our mission to protect our people, deepen integration, and build a prosperous and secure West Africa,” he said.
