Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Julius Maada Bio, has urged the regional bloc to move beyond declarations and deliver tangible benefits to the more than 450 million people of West Africa.
Speaking at the commissioning of the new ECOWAS Commission headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, Bio described the building as more than an architectural achievement, saying it symbolises the region’s collective vision, shared responsibility and enduring commitment to regional integration, peace and prosperity.
He said history would not remember generations for the buildings they erected, but for the institutions they strengthened and the lives they transformed.
“This headquarters is the permanent home of our shared vision, collective ambition and enduring commitment to regional integration and prosperity. What matters is not how it was built, but how faithfully it advances the aspirations of the people of West Africa,” he said.
Bio stressed that West Africans were no longer waiting for promises but for measurable results that improve their daily lives through expanded trade, job creation, security, and greater opportunities for young people and women.
According to him, citizens expect borders that facilitate trade rather than hinder it, governments that protect democratic values, and institutions capable of responding to emerging security and economic challenges.
The Sierra Leonean President commended Nigeria and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for their longstanding commitment to ECOWAS since its establishment in 1975, describing Nigeria as the backbone of regional integration through its financial, diplomatic and political support.
He also expressed appreciation to the government of the People’s Republic of China for financing the construction of the headquarters, describing the project as a testament to strong international cooperation founded on mutual respect.
Bio acknowledged ECOWAS’ achievements over the past five decades, including the free movement of persons, peace support operations, mediation efforts and the defence of constitutional governance across the region.
However, he warned that West Africa now faces increasingly complex challenges, including terrorism, political instability, climate change, economic uncertainty and rapid technological transformation.
He expressed concern over the resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government in parts of the region, insisting that ECOWAS would remain committed to defending democratic governance while pursuing dialogue and peaceful political transitions.
“Our response has been guided by principle, not expedience. The people of West Africa deserve governments they freely choose, governments that are accountable and committed to serving them,” he said.
Bio urged member states to pursue the objectives of the ECOWAS Vision 2050 by deepening regional integration, promoting innovation, expanding investment and creating wider opportunities for young people, who account for more than 60 per cent of the region’s population.
He also called for greater inclusion of women in economic development, peacebuilding and democratic governance, describing them as indispensable partners in the region’s future.
Addressing officials of the ECOWAS Commission, Bio challenged them to ensure that every decision taken within the new headquarters reflects integrity, professionalism, accountability and service to the people.
“Public trust is never inherited. It is earned every day through integrity, accountability, transparency and excellence. Let every office inspire excellence, every meeting produce solutions and every decision strengthen the confidence of the people we serve,” he said.
Representing President Tinubu at the ceremony, Vice President Kashim Shettima described the new headquarters as a symbol of renewal, resilience and hope for West Africa.
He said the commissioning marked not just the inauguration of a landmark building but the renewal of ECOWAS’ commitment to regional integration, solidarity and shared prosperity.
Shettima praised China for financing the project and commended the ECOWAS Commission, contractors and all stakeholders involved in delivering the headquarters.
He noted that while ECOWAS had made remarkable progress in peacebuilding, democratic governance, economic cooperation and the free movement of people and goods, the region still faced terrorism, food insecurity, climate change, public health threats and economic vulnerabilities.
The Vice President urged member states to transform the regional market into a regional production base by accelerating industrialisation, strengthening regional value chains and expanding investment opportunities for young people.
“Our integration must increasingly be driven by what we produce rather than by what we consume. A community that consumes what it does not produce will forever depend on the goodwill of others,” Shettima said.
He added that the new headquarters should serve as a centre for dialogue, innovation and collective action, where policies are shaped to advance peace, unity, prosperity and the welfare of the people of West Africa.
