President Bola Tinubu on Thursday said the inauguration of the new headquarters of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Abuja marks a renewed commitment to regional integration, peace, industrialisation and shared prosperity across West Africa.
Tinubu described the new headquarters as a symbol of renewal, resilience and confidence in the future of the regional bloc, while urging member states to transform ECOWAS from a regional market into a regional production hub.
The President made the remarks through Vice President Kashim Shettima at the commissioning of the new ECOWAS headquarters in Abuja, according to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha.
Describing the new complex as the “Eye of Africa,” Tinubu said it represented the region’s collective resolve to uphold the ideals that inspired the establishment of ECOWAS more than five decades ago.
“Today marks not only the inauguration of an impressive landmark but the renewal of a covenant—our covenant with the ideals of regional integration, solidarity and shared prosperity,” he said.
Tinubu noted that ECOWAS has grown into one of the world’s most respected regional economic communities, making significant strides in peacebuilding, democratic governance, economic cooperation and the free movement of people, goods and services.
However, he warned that the bloc must confront pressing challenges, including terrorism, violent extremism, economic vulnerability, food insecurity, climate change, public health threats and the aspirations of its rapidly growing youth population.
According to him, the next phase of regional integration must be driven by economic transformation rather than rhetoric.
“The hour has come to transform our regional market into a regional production base.
“Our integration must increasingly be driven by what we produce rather than by what we consume, for a community that consumes what it does not make will forever live at the mercy of the goodwill of others,” Tinubu said.
He stressed that deeper industrialisation, stronger regional value chains, expanded intra-African trade, innovation, manufacturing and investment must shape the future of ECOWAS.
The President also reflected on the recent withdrawal of three member states from the bloc, saying the development, alongside evolving security threats, underscored the need to view regional integration beyond economic cooperation.
“Regional integration can no longer be an economic imperative alone.
“It has become a comprehensive framework for our collective security, our political stability, our sustainable development and the welfare of our peoples,” he said.
Tinubu added that the ECOWAS door should remain open to countries that had chosen to leave, advocating renewed dialogue, deeper solidarity and shared responsibility.
He commended the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government and President of Sierra Leone, Julius Bio, for providing steady leadership during a challenging period for the region.
The President also congratulated the leadership of the ECOWAS Commission for delivering the project, describing the new headquarters as a reflection of the bloc’s determination to build enduring regional institutions.
Tinubu expressed appreciation to the Government of the People’s Republic of China for financing the project, as well as Shaanxi Construction Engineering Group Company Limited, consultants, Nigerian partners and other stakeholders involved in its delivery.
“May every decision taken within these walls advance the peace, unity, prosperity and dignity of the peoples of West Africa,” he said.
Earlier, President Bio described the new headquarters as an opportunity for member states to renew their commitment to the more than 450 million people of West Africa while reaffirming their determination to build a stronger and more effective regional organisation.
He noted that history ultimately judges generations not by the buildings they construct but by the lives they transform.
Bio also thanked President Tinubu for Nigeria’s unwavering financial and political support for ECOWAS, describing the country as “a great anchor” of the regional bloc.
He further expressed gratitude to the Chinese government for what he described as its generous donation of the headquarters building.
President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, also commended China for donating the facility, describing it as a lasting symbol of partnership and regional integration that would strengthen coordination and support the commission’s expanding mandate.
Touray highlighted China’s contributions to ECOWAS, including support for the regional standby force and technological development, describing Beijing as one of the bloc’s most strategic partners in its economic, political and social transformation.
He assured member states that the commission’s management and staff would ensure the new headquarters serves as a centre for regional transformation, cooperation and stability.
In his goodwill message, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Yu Dunhai, congratulated West African leaders on the inauguration of the headquarters, describing it as another milestone in China’s support for African integration and a testament to the enduring partnership between China and the continent.
He said future China-ECOWAS relations would continue to be built on mutual trust and practical cooperation, enabling African countries to pursue their own development priorities and aspirations.
