President Bola Tinubu was absent as ECOWAS leaders convened in Abuja on Sunday to discuss regional security challenges, including the recent coup attempt in Benin Republic.
Vice President Kashim Shettima led Nigeria’s delegation to the 68th ordinary session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, held at the State House Conference Centre.
This marks the first time Shettima has headed Nigeria’s delegation at an ECOWAS summit held on home soil while the president remained in the country. Tinubu, who chaired ECOWAS from July 2023 to July 2025 before handing over to Julius Bio, President of Sierra Leone, delegated Shettima to represent Nigeria at the session.
The meeting began at about 3:00 pm and featured a special debate on the future of the Community, according to the draft agenda. Leaders in attendance included Patrice Talon of Benin, José Maria Neves of Cabo Verde, Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire, Adama Barrow of The Gambia, John Mahama of Ghana, Umaro Embaló of Guinea-Bissau, Joseph Boakai of Liberia, Bassirou Faye of Senegal, and Faure Gnassingbé of Togo.
The opening ceremony included remarks by the host country, a statement by Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, and an address by Julius Bio. Leonardo Santos Simão, head of UNOWAS, and Bankole Adeoye, African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, were also scheduled to speak.
Key items on the agenda include the 2025 State of the Community Report, updates from the Mediation and Security Council, and discussions on the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme. Leaders are also reviewing political and security developments in Benin, Guinea-Bissau, and Guinea.
The summit comes in the wake of the December 7 coup attempt in Benin and ongoing instability in parts of the West African sub-region, highlighting pressing regional security challenges for ECOWAS leaders.
