Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu Delivers Tinubu’s Invitation to Gambia, Senegal Ahead of West Africa Economic Summit.

By Caroline Ameh

As part of an ongoing diplomatic outreach ahead of the upcoming West Africa Economic Summit (WAES), Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has visited The Gambia and Senegal as Special Envoy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The summit, scheduled to hold from June 20–21, 2025, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja, is a flagship initiative under President Tinubu’s leadership as Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

In Banjul on Wednesday, June 11, Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu met with Gambian President Adama Barrow to formally deliver an invitation from President Tinubu. The Special Envoy and her delegation received a warm reception in the Gambian capital, according to a statement signed by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

President Barrow, in his response, expressed appreciation for Nigeria’s proactive leadership in convening a regional summit focused on intra-regional trade and investment. He described the initiative as both timely and strategic, noting that traditional donor-recipient relationships are increasingly unsustainable in light of donor fatigue from the West.

“This is the right time for West African nations to embrace regional cooperation and partnership,” Barrow said, adding that The Gambia is committed to full participation in what he described as a historic gathering that could significantly advance regional integration in Africa.

Prior to the Gambia visit, the Nigerian delegation was in Dakar, Senegal, on Tuesday, June 10, where they delivered a similar invitation to the Senegalese government. The team was received by a high-ranking Senegalese official.

The West Africa Economic Summit is expected to attract Heads of State from across the sub-region, as well as business leaders, financial experts, and heads of global institutions. The summit aims to establish a robust platform for sustainable economic development and deeper regional integration.