Tinubu : ECOWAS to name new chairman

With President Bola Tinubu’s tenure as Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) drawing to a close, preparations are underway for the appointment of a new leader during the upcoming summit in Abuja.

Tinubu assumed the chairmanship on July 9, 2023, during a summit in Guinea Bissau. He was re-elected for a second term on July 7, 2024, in Abuja. His leadership is expected to formally conclude at the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government meeting this weekend, which will be held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa.

During the closing session of the 94th Ordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers on Friday night, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, acknowledged the approaching leadership transition.

“Let me sincerely appreciate each one of you for your cooperation and support to me over the last two years, as the Chair of this Council.

“As the agenda of the Summit we endorsed indicated the election of a new Chair of Authority, this may be my last Council Session as the Chair of this Council,” Tuggar stated.

Reflecting on his time in the role, Tuggar commended the collaborative efforts of his regional colleagues and emphasized the importance of continuity.

“Over the last two years, I enjoyed a very cordial working relationship with each one of you. I remain very grateful for your unalloyed support for the successes we recorded thus far.

“I hope the same cooperation will be extended to whomever among us is taking over the leadership of this Council,” he added.