…Says summit, a landmark moment
From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
The Federal Government, has said the West African Economic Summit (WAES) reflects Nigeria’s steadfast commitment to inclusive, region-wide collaboration, bringing together, all West African countries, irrespective of institutional alignments, to confront shared challenges and seize the opportunities that await the sub-region.
The Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, stated this during the opening ceremony of the two-day WAES in Abuja.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also said as West Africans, the sub-region shared a deep-rooted demographic and economic history shaped by regional mobility and trade.
She further said that the common commodities and interconnected markets have long fostered an environment of free trade and cultural exchange.
The legacy, Odumegwu-Ojukwu added, has forged a shared identity, one that drives the collective progress and is strengthened through unified diplomacy.
“This gathering is a landmark moment, a bold affirmation of our region’s collective will to deepen economic cooperation, unlock our immense trade and investment potential, and craft a future of shared prosperity for the peoples of West Africa.
“WAES is more than a summit. It is a platform of purpose where policy meets enterprise, where leadership engages innovation, and where West Africa speaks with one voice on the promise of regional integration. Our nations have long engaged not merely as neighbours, but as sisters, brothers, and comrades. Bound by a unique thread that extends across a vast diaspora, uniquely positioning us as leaders on the global stage.
“West African industries have already proven their strength through significant achievements in banking, digital services, agriculture, and extractive. We are not here to debate how to build industries; we have shown that we can lead and scale sectors to meet regional demands and enrich global markets. The task before us now is to safeguard our regional bloc and drive the expansion of our industries through farsighted integration policies and reforms that reinforce our economic sovereignty.
“This initiative reflects Nigeria’s steadfast commitment to inclusive, region-wide collaboration, bringing together all West African countries, irrespective of institutional alignments, to confront shared challenges and seize the opportunities that await us,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said.
The former Nigerian Ambassador to Spain further said that the summit should not just be another meeting, but a turning point, a moment of collective resolve to translate potential into prosperity.
“On behalf of the Government and good people of Nigeria, I welcome you once again to Abuja. I encourage us all to engage fully, think boldly, and leave here with concrete outcomes that will advance trade and investment across West Africa,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu also said.
Also speaking, the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Olajumoke Oduwole, assured that Nigeria is fully committed to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) trade liberalisation and common tariff.
The minister emphasised that Nigeria is committed to working with member states and her neighbours to accelerate the implementation of preferential tariff regimes on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Oduwole called on the participants to use the WAES to forge new partnerships, and strengthen trade architecture in the sub-region so as to move from potential to performance.
She also said that the vision of one market was not simply an ideal, but a necessity.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria has been fully committed to the ECOWAS trade liberalization scheme and the ECOWAS Common External Tariff. We are also fully committed to working with member states and neighbors to accelerate the implementation of preferential tariff regimes on the African-Continental Free Trade Area,” Oduwole said.