From Aidoghie Paulinus and Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has called on leaders of West African countries to deepen economic integration, address regional insecurity and speak with one voice on the global stage to realise the founding vision of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Delivering the keynote address at the opening of the first ordinary session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja, Akpabio said the region stood at a critical juncture with both opportunities and pressing challenges that demand renewed commitment and collective action.
“We are gathered here as representatives of a proud and diverse region, united by a common dream – a West Africa that rises to its full potential,” he said. “Our borders may divide our lands, but they must never divide our purpose.”
The Senate President highlighted economic instability, security threats, and limited political coordination as obstacles preventing ECOWAS from reaching its full potential. He emphasised the need for a shared economic strategy that includes fiscal discipline, monetary coordination, and the pursuit of a unified regional currency.
“The promise of a unified regional currency holds great potential. But it demands robust financial infrastructure and mutual economic trust. We must break free from outdated approaches and embrace a truly integrated financial system,”
Akpabio said.
He also called for increased investment in infrastructure and support for small and medium enterprises to drive industrialisation and reduce reliance on imports.
On security, Akpabio warned that terrorism, political unrest, and organised crime continue to threaten stability across the region and urged member states to tackle the root causes of instability such as unemployment, inequality, tribalism and lack of education.
“There can be no long-term development without security, and no long-term security without development,” he said, quoting former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
Turning to global issues, the Senate President said ECOWAS must strengthen its voice on international platforms to advocate for fairer treatment in trade, finance and climate negotiations.
“As global geopolitical dynamics shift, Africa must redefine its place on the world stage,” he said. “Together, we can demand a fairer global order—one that respects the dignity and aspirations of our people.”
He urged the ECOWAS Parliament to adopt a spirit of unity and shared responsibility, calling on lawmakers to speak with one voice and act in the collective interest of West Africans.
“It always seems impossible until it’s done,” he said, quoting Nelson Mandela. “Though it may seem impossible, I believe that together, we can overcome our challenges.”
Akpabio concluded with a call to action: “Let us transform our challenges into opportunities and our aspirations into achievements. The road ahead may be long, but our steps are measured, and our destination is clear—a prosperous, peaceful, and united West Africa.”
In her remarks, Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Memounatou Ibrahima, said in the past few months, the parliament, in accordance with its annual work plan, organized several activities of major interest.
The activities, through the presentations by resource persons and experts from the ECOWAS Commission, according to Ibrahima, allowed the participants to reflect deeply on the successes achieved and the challenges facing ECOWAS, and then to formulate relevant recommendations capable of containing the problems that undermine regional integration and free movement in West Africa.
“It is therefore with a sense of responsibility that during this session, we will consider and adopt the reports of those meetings and the reports of other activities carried out during the period under review,” he said.
On his part, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Alieu Omar Touray, informed the parliament that in accordance with the decisions of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government in December 16, 2024, an extraordinary session of the Council of Ministers held in Accra, from 22nd to 23rd April, to consider the draft contingency plan for the withdrawal of the three Sahel countries.
He also said at the end of its session, the council took a decision to adopt a holistic negotiation plan for all ECOWAS member states, including a strategic orientation for the negotiations.
He added that this week, ECOWAS will commence direct discussions with the three countries on the methodology of the negotiations.
“The position of ECOWAS is that the separation of the three countries should not come at the expense of the community citizens,” Touray said.