ECOWAS Council of Ministers Opens 95th Ordinary Session in Abuja, Calls for Stronger Democratic Governance and Regional Integration
Maryam Aminu
The 95th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers opened on Tuesday, December 10, 2025, at the ECOWAS Commission Headquarters in Abuja, with a renewed call for strengthened democratic governance, deeper economic integration, and enhanced collective security across West Africa.
The opening ceremony drew Senior Government Officials, Heads of ECOWAS Institutions, Commissioners, Ambassadors, and members of the diplomatic community, who reflected on the regional bloc’s achievements and the urgent challenges confronting Member States.
Declaring the session open, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, welcomed delegates to Abuja and conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appreciation for their commitment to ECOWAS’ enduring vision of peace, stability, and shared prosperity.
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu noted that 2025 marks ECOWAS’ 50th anniversary, offering a symbolic opportunity to reflect on significant achievements in free movement, economic cooperation, peacekeeping, and collaboration in key sectors. She said the milestones recorded across Member States reaffirm the founding vision of unity and solidarity while inspiring renewed ambition for a more peaceful and prosperous region.
However, she warned that political instability, unconstitutional government changes, prolonged transitions, and governance deficits in some Member States continue to threaten democratic gains. She urged regional leaders to defend constitutional order, promote inclusive dialogue, and support credible transition processes.
Reiterating that economic integration remains central to ECOWAS’ mandate, the minister called for deeper regional trade, strengthened value chains, and expanded opportunities for the continent’s growing youth population.
She said the Ministers’ deliberations would address governance, integration, humanitarian challenges, peace and security, agriculture, and institutional reforms, all geared toward shaping recommendations for the Authority of Heads of State and Government.
President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, commended Nigeria for hosting the session and highlighted key agenda items, including the annual work programme, budget, financial status of ECOWAS Institutions, and community levy reports.
He also noted ongoing efforts to enhance resource mobilization for counterterrorism across the region.
Dr. Touray announced the establishment of the ECOWAS Business Council, with Africa’s foremost industrialist, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, appointed as its inaugural chair. He said the Council would boost public-private sector dialogue and promote investments across Member States.
He further urged Member States to support the restoration of financial stability in the West African Power Pool, noting that the sustainability of regional energy cooperation hinges on collective responsibility.
Chair of the Council of Ministers and Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Timothy Kabba, reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to ECOWAS’ long-standing integration agenda, rooted in the 1975 Treaty of Lagos. He expressed concern over ongoing regional instability, including unconstitutional government changes, terrorism, and organized crime, citing the recent developments in Guinea-Bissau.
Kabba praised ECOWAS’ cohesive response to emerging threats and emphasized the need to sustain pressure on transition authorities to restore constitutional rule.
He also called for greater investment in regional security initiatives and underscored the importance of boosting intra-ECOWAS trade by leveraging existing agreements and frameworks.
As the 95th Ordinary Session commenced, delegates were urged to engage in constructive dialogue and reaffirm their commitment to democratic governance, regional stability, and economic transformation across West Africa.
