Nigeria has called on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to adopt a stronger and more coordinated response to terrorism, transnational crime and regional security challenges, while urging continued engagement with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger despite their exit from the regional bloc.
The call was made by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, during the 56th Session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council at the Ministerial Level held on Wednesday in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Enikanolaiye outlined Nigeria’s position on key regional issues, highlighting the country’s leadership role in promoting peace, security, democracy and regional integration.
On ECOWAS financing, the minister urged member states to promptly pay their Community Levy, describing it as the financial backbone of the regional organisation. He noted that Nigeria has continued to fulfil its obligations despite its domestic economic challenges.
Addressing insecurity across West Africa, Enikanolaiye stressed the need for ECOWAS to act collectively against terrorism, piracy, banditry and transnational organised crime.
He said Nigeria’s intensified security operations and improved collaboration among security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies had led to the rescue of kidnapped victims, arrests of criminal elements and improved maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.
The minister also highlighted Nigeria’s democratic progress, saying preparations were underway for the 2027 general elections. He assured ECOWAS that the elections would be free, fair and transparent, reflecting the will of the Nigerian people.
He invited ECOWAS member states and international observers to monitor the polls, noting that Nigeria remained committed to credible democratic processes and had maintained an uninterrupted record of political transitions since 1999.
Enikanolaiye also condemned what he described as rising Afrophobic violence in South Africa, where citizens of other African countries have reportedly been targeted in attacks.
Recalling Nigeria’s contributions to the anti-apartheid struggle, including financial, diplomatic and material support, he urged ECOWAS to adopt a firm collective position on the issue and present it to the African Union, in line with an earlier proposal by Ghana.
On regional diplomacy, the minister advocated sustained dialogue with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, as well as continued attention to developments in Guinea-Bissau.
He said inclusive engagement with the Alliance of Sahelian States (AES) was essential to addressing shared challenges of democracy, peace, security and development.
He further called for innovative and effective mechanisms to strengthen cooperation with the AES, noting that evolving global geopolitical dynamics had further complicated the security landscape in West Africa and the Sahel.
The 56th Session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council brought together foreign ministers and senior regional officials to deliberate on peace, security and political developments across the sub-region.
