Tinubu Unveils New ECOWAS Headquarters, Calls For Industrialised West Africa

President Bola Tinubu has 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.

The president’s position was contained in a statement issued on Thursday, by the Senior Special Assistant to the president on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha.

Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the commissioning ceremony, Tinubu described the newly completed complex, known as the “Eye of Africa,” as a powerful symbol of the region’s collective determination to uphold the founding ideals of ECOWAS more than five decades after its establishment.

He said the headquarters represents renewal, resilience and confidence in the future of the regional bloc, urging member states to shift from being largely consumers to becoming producers through stronger industrialisation and regional value chains.

“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,” Tinubu said.

The president noted that ECOWAS has evolved into one of the world’s most respected regional organisations, citing its achievements in peacebuilding, democratic governance, economic cooperation and the free movement of people, goods and services across the sub-region.

Despite these gains, Tinubu acknowledged that West Africa continues to face significant challenges, including terrorism, violent extremism, economic vulnerability, food insecurity, climate change, public health concerns and growing demands from its youthful population.

He stressed that the bloc’s next phase of integration must focus on economic transformation driven by production rather than consumption.

“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,” he said.

Tinubu added that deeper industrialisation, expanded intra-regional trade, manufacturing, innovation, investment and stronger regional value chains should define the future of ECOWAS.

The president also addressed the recent withdrawal of three member states from the regional bloc, saying the development, alongside evolving security threats, underscores the need for integration to extend 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 stated.

He urged ECOWAS to keep its doors open to the departing countries while encouraging renewed dialogue, solidarity and collective responsibility among member states.

Tinubu commended Sierra Leone’s President, Julius Maada Bio, Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, for his leadership during a challenging period for the organisation.

He also praised the ECOWAS Commission for successfully delivering the headquarters project and expressed gratitude to the government of China for financing the facility, as well as Shaanxi Construction Engineering Group Company Limited, consultants, Nigerian partners and other stakeholders involved in the project.

“May every decision taken within these walls advance the peace, the unity, the prosperity and the dignity of the peoples of West Africa,” the President said.

In his remarks, President Bio said the new headquarters presents an opportunity for member states to recommit themselves to improving the lives of more than 450 million people across West Africa while strengthening the effectiveness of ECOWAS.

He described Nigeria as “a great anchor” of the regional bloc and commended President Tinubu for the country’s consistent financial and leadership support over the years.

Bio also thanked the Chinese government for donating the new headquarters, describing the gesture as a demonstration of enduring partnership.

President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, said the new complex symbolises regional cooperation and will strengthen the Commission’s capacity to deliver on its expanding mandate.

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He highlighted China’s longstanding support for ECOWAS in areas including security, technology and institutional development, describing Beijing as one of the bloc’s most strategic partners.

China’s Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Yu Dunhai, congratulated West African leaders on the inauguration, describing the project as another milestone in China’s support for African integration and a reflection of the enduring partnership between China and Africa.

He said future China-ECOWAS relations would continue to be built on mutual trust and practical cooperation aimed at supporting African countries in achieving their development goals.