President Bola Tinubu has described the inauguration of the new headquarters of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Abuja as a symbol of renewed commitment to regional integration, peace, industrialisation, and shared prosperity across West Africa.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the commissioning ceremony on Thursday, Tinubu said the new complex—popularly referred to as the “Eye of Africa”—reflects the collective determination of ECOWAS member states to uphold the vision that inspired the regional bloc more than 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 respected regional economic communities, citing its achievements in peace-building, democratic governance, economic cooperation, and the free movement of people, goods, and services.
Despite these gains, he warned that the region continues to face significant challenges, including terrorism, violent extremism, economic vulnerability, food insecurity, climate change, public health concerns, and the growing expectations of its youthful population.
The President stressed that the next phase of West Africa’s integration must focus on economic transformation through increased industrialisation and regional production.
“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. A community that consumes what it does not make will forever live at the mercy of the goodwill of others,” he said.
He called for stronger regional value chains, expanded intra-African trade, innovation, manufacturing, and investment to shape the future of the sub-region.
Addressing recent developments within the bloc, Tinubu said the withdrawal of three member states and evolving security threats demonstrate that regional integration must go beyond economic cooperation.
“Regional integration can no longer be an economic imperative alone. It has become a comprehensive framework for our collective security, political stability, sustainable development, and the welfare of our peoples,” he stated, while adding that ECOWAS should keep its doors open for dialogue with countries that have exited the bloc.
The President also commended Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio, Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, for his leadership during a critical period for the organisation. He praised 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, alongside the contractors, consultants, and other stakeholders involved.
“May every decision taken within these walls advance the peace, unity, prosperity, and dignity of the peoples of West Africa,” Tinubu said.
In his remarks, President Julius Maada Bio described the new headquarters as more than a physical structure, saying it represents a renewed commitment to improving the lives of over 450 million people across West Africa.
He thanked Nigeria for its consistent financial and leadership support to ECOWAS, describing the country as “a great anchor” of the regional bloc. Bio also expressed appreciation to the Chinese government for donating the headquarters building.
President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, said the new facility would serve as a lasting symbol of regional partnership and integration, while strengthening coordination to meet the bloc’s expanding responsibilities.
He acknowledged China’s continued support in areas such as regional security, technology, and economic development, describing the Asian nation as one of ECOWAS’ most strategic partners.
Also speaking at the event, China’s Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Yu Dunhai, said the inauguration of the headquarters reflects China’s enduring commitment to Africa’s integration and development. He reaffirmed his country’s readiness to deepen cooperation with ECOWAS based on mutual trust and support for Africa’s long-term development aspirations.
