Akpabio Urges ECOWAS Parliament to Renew Commitment to a United West Africa.
By Caroline Ameh
President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has called on members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament to reaffirm their commitment to the vision of a united and prosperous West Africa.
Speaking on Tuesday during the opening of the 2025 First Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja, Akpabio, who also chairs Nigeria’s National Assembly, delivered a keynote address titled “One Region, One Dream: Advancing the Promise of West Africa.”
In his address, Akpabio urged regional lawmakers to use the gathering as an opportunity to rededicate themselves to building a West Africa “where our economies thrive, our cultures flourish, and our children inherit a legacy of peace, prosperity, and unshakable unity.”
“ECOWAS was never meant to be a concept; it was meant to be a clarion call to every West African – that our journey to greatness has just begun,” he said. “Together, we can write a new chapter in the history of our beloved region.”
He emphasized the original vision of ECOWAS as a community founded on economic strength, political stability, and unity without borders, adding that while progress has been made, significant challenges persist.
Akpabio identified economic instability as a major hurdle, citing currency volatility, inflation, and global financial pressures as factors undermining the region’s development. He reiterated the importance of a unified regional currency, describing it as a key to boosting trade, reducing transaction costs, and improving global competitiveness.
“The path to a unified currency demands fiscal discipline, monetary coordination, robust financial infrastructure, and mutual economic trust,” he said. He urged bold reforms and regional financial integration, warning against outdated and fragmented economic strategies.
He further called for enhanced intra-regional trade, support for small and medium enterprises, investment in infrastructure, and leveraging of natural resources to drive industrialization and job creation.
On political stability, Akpabio warned that security threats, including terrorism, insurgency, political unrest, and organized crime, could undermine the region’s progress. He emphasized the need to uphold democratic institutions, good governance, and the rule of law.
He also identified the root causes of instability – unemployment, inequality, tribalism, and lack of education – urging governments to tackle them through youth empowerment and inclusive development.
On ECOWAS’s role in global affairs, Akpabio stressed the importance of a strong regional voice in international forums. “We must demand fair treatment in global trade, finance, and climate negotiations,” he said.
He called on member nations to rekindle unity and solidarity, stating: “Let us resolve to speak with one voice on the global stage, to stand together against external economic pressures, and to chart a course for our region that prioritizes the welfare of our people.”
Earlier in her opening remarks, the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Hon. Memounatou Ibrahima of the Togolese Republic, noted the growing influence of the Parliament despite its relatively young age. She emphasized that as the institution marks its 25th anniversary in November, it must remember that integration is not automatic but a continuous effort.
“Integration is not an inevitable destiny but a daily choice that we must constantly cultivate and reinvent,” she said.
The session brought together lawmakers from across West Africa, reflecting a shared commitment to regional unity and development in the face of evolving global and domestic challenges.
