President Bola Tinubu has urged West African nations to accelerate industrialisation and build a production-driven regional economy, saying the inauguration of the new Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) headquarters in Abuja should inspire a renewed commitment to integration, peace and shared prosperity.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the commissioning ceremony on Thursday, Tinubu described the new ECOWAS headquarters—popularly referred to as the “Eye of Africa”—as more than an architectural achievement, saying it represents the resilience, unity and future aspirations of the regional bloc.
According to a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, the President said the new complex reflects the enduring vision that inspired the establishment of ECOWAS over 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,” the President said.
Tinubu noted that ECOWAS has earned global recognition as one of the world’s most successful regional economic communities through its achievements in democratic governance, peacebuilding, economic cooperation and the free movement of people, goods and services.
He, however, cautioned that the sub-region continues to face pressing challenges, including terrorism, violent extremism, food insecurity, climate change, economic fragility, public health concerns and the growing expectations of its youthful population.
The President argued that the next phase of regional integration must be driven by economic productivity rather than consumption, calling on member states to strengthen local manufacturing and regional value chains.
“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 the future of ECOWAS should be anchored on industrialisation, innovation, investment, manufacturing, expanded intra-African trade and stronger regional supply chains.
Addressing recent developments within the bloc, he said the withdrawal of three member states and evolving security realities demonstrate that regional cooperation must now extend well beyond economic interests.
“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.
Despite the recent exits, Tinubu maintained that ECOWAS should continue to embrace dialogue and reconciliation with countries that have distanced themselves from the organisation.
He also praised the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government and President of Sierra Leone, Julius Bio, for providing stable leadership during a challenging period for the region.
The President further congratulated the ECOWAS Commission for successfully delivering the new headquarters and expressed appreciation to the Government of the People’s Republic of China for financing the project. He also acknowledged Shaanxi Construction Engineering Group Company Limited, consultants, Nigerian partners and other stakeholders who contributed to its completion.
“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.
Earlier, Sierra Leonean President Julius Bio described the new headquarters as an opportunity for member states to recommit themselves to serving the more than 450 million people across West Africa and strengthening the regional institution.
He observed that the true measure of leadership lies not in physical infrastructure but in the positive impact made on people’s lives.
Bio also commended President Tinubu for Nigeria’s consistent financial contributions and leadership within ECOWAS, describing the country as “a great anchor” of the regional bloc, while thanking the Chinese government for its “generous donation” of the headquarters complex.
President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, likewise expressed appreciation to China for funding the project, describing the building as a lasting symbol of regional integration, partnership and cooperation.
Touray noted that China has remained a key development partner of ECOWAS through its support for initiatives such as the regional standby force and technological advancement, adding that the new headquarters would strengthen the commission’s capacity to deliver on its expanding mandate.
He said China continues to play a strategic role in the economic, political and social transformation of West Africa and assured that the commission’s management and staff would ensure the facility serves as a centre for regional development and stability.
Delivering a goodwill message, Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Yu Dunhai, congratulated West African leaders on the inauguration, describing the project as another milestone in China’s longstanding support for African integration.
He said the partnership between China, ECOWAS and the African continent would continue to be built on mutual trust and practical cooperation that empowers African countries to pursue their own development priorities and aspirations.
(Ripples)
