Nigeria Tasks Envoys With Restoring ECOWAS Unity, Deepening Regional Integration
Oru Leonard
Uyo, Akwa Ibom State – The Federal Government has charged Nigeria’s newly appointed ambassadors and high commissioners to West African countries to champion democratic governance, strengthen regional security cooperation, and drive economic integration across the sub-region.
Speaking at a strategic retreat for ambassadors and high commissioners-designate to West African countries in Uyo on Saturday, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said Nigeria’s commitment to West Africa remains “absolute and unwavering,” describing the sub-region as the primary sphere of the country’s foreign policy engagements.
She told the envoys that their assignments were not routine diplomatic postings but strategic deployments aimed at advancing Nigeria’s national interests and restoring the country’s leadership role within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
According to the minister, West Africa is currently facing severe challenges, including unconstitutional changes of government, terrorism, violent extremism, transnational crimes, and economic disruptions that threaten regional stability and integration.
“Democracy remains the best form of government for the peace and prosperity of our peoples,” she said, urging the diplomats to engage host governments in strengthening democratic institutions, promoting the rule of law, human rights, and good governance.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also directed the envoys to pursue aggressive economic diplomacy by removing barriers to trade, promoting investments in agriculture, manufacturing, energy and digital technology, and leveraging opportunities provided by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and ECOWAS free movement protocols.
She further emphasized the need for enhanced security cooperation among West African nations, noting that no country could tackle terrorism, trafficking, smuggling and other transnational threats in isolation.
The minister also stressed the importance of citizen diplomacy, calling on Nigerian missions across the region to become efficient service centres that protect the rights and welfare of Nigerians living abroad while engaging the diaspora as partners in national development.
Earlier, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, described the retreat as a critical platform for preparing the diplomats to navigate the rapidly evolving political, security and economic realities of West Africa.
Enikanolaiye said Nigeria’s foreign policy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is anchored on the 4D doctrine of Demography, Development, Democracy and Diaspora, with West Africa remaining Nigeria’s primary sphere of influence.
He noted that the region is grappling with terrorism, proliferation of illicit arms, drug and human trafficking, banditry, unconstitutional changes of government and the growing influence of extra-continental powers.
The minister maintained that Nigeria’s leadership role in the region remains intact, citing the country’s contributions to peace, security, democracy and economic development, as well as the hosting of the West Africa Economic Summit in 2025.
He urged the ambassadors to shift from passive diplomacy to active engagement by promoting democratic institutions, facilitating regional trade, attracting investments, protecting Nigerians abroad and positioning Nigeria as a mediator and stabilizing force in West Africa.
The one-day retreat, held at Ceedapeg Hotels in Uyo, brought together ambassadors and high commissioners-designate posted to ECOWAS member states to deepen their understanding of Nigeria’s strategic interests and foreign policy priorities in the sub-region.
