On June 22, 2025, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu formally handed over the chairmanship of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government to Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio. The ceremony took place during the 67th Ordinary Session of the regional bloc, held in Abuja, Nigeria.
President Tinubu, who assumed the ECOWAS chairmanship in July 2023, marked the end of his two-year tenure by passing on the leadership symbolically through the ECOWAS chair emblem. In his remarks, Tinubu described his stewardship as a great honor and reaffirmed his belief in a prosperous and stable West Africa. He stressed the need for collective action in ensuring peace and security, including the urgent deployment of the ECOWAS Standby Force to counter terrorism and transnational crimes.
During his leadership, Tinubu tackled complex political and security challenges and advocated for greater economic integration. He championed democratic values and called for stronger collaboration among member states. Key regional infrastructure initiatives such as the West African Gas Pipeline, the West African Power Pool, and the Abidjan–Lagos Corridor Highway were among his focal points to drive regional development and connectivity.
In his acceptance speech, President Julius Maada Bio laid out four strategic priorities for his tenure: restoring constitutional order and deepening democratic governance; revitalizing regional security cooperation; accelerating economic integration; and enhancing institutional credibility and efficiency within ECOWAS.
President Bio pledged to constructively engage transitional governments, strengthen intelligence-sharing mechanisms, and improve the region’s rapid response capabilities. He also called for reforms to make ECOWAS more transparent, responsive, and inclusive, particularly for youth and women.
Recognizing the multifaceted challenges facing the region—including terrorism, political instability, arms trafficking, and organized crime—Bio emphasized the importance of unity and moral leadership in shaping a hopeful future for West Africa.
The leadership transition marks a significant moment for ECOWAS as it seeks to reinforce regional cooperation amid ongoing security and economic hurdles. With President Bio now at the helm, the organization aims to build upon the foundations laid by President Tinubu in advancing peace, democracy, and integration across West Africa.
