Nigeria’s tenure at the helm of the Economic Community of West African States is nearing its conclusion as President Bola Tinubu prepares to end his second term as Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government.
Tinubu, who was first elected ECOWAS Chairman on July 9, 2023, in Guinea Bissau, and re-elected on July 7, 2024, in Abuja, will formally round off his leadership at this weekend’s summit taking place at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
As preparations for a transition in leadership intensify, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, hinted at the change during the closing session of the 94th Ordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers on Friday night.
“Let me sincerely appreciate each one of you for your cooperation and support to me over the last two years, as the Chair of this Council.
As the agenda of the Summit we endorsed indicated the election of a new Chair of Authority, this may be my last Council Session as the Chair of this Council,” Tuggar said.
Tuggar expressed gratitude for the collaborative spirit shown by his regional counterparts and said he looked forward to continued support for whoever would assume leadership next.
“Over the last two years, I enjoyed a very cordial working relationship with each one of you. I remain very grateful for your unalloyed support for the successes we recorded thus far.
“I hope the same cooperation will be extended to whomever among us is taking over the leadership of this Council,” the minister added.