Nigeria Rallies West African Nations Ahead of Economic Summit in Abuja.

By Caroline Ameh

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has called on West African nations to unite in shaping a new era of regional economic cooperation as preparations intensify for the upcoming West Africa Economic Summit (WAES), scheduled to hold in Abuja from June 20 to 21, 2025.

Speaking during a stakeholder engagement with West African Ambassadors in Abuja on Tuesday, Ambassador Tuggar described the summit as “a unique moment in our region’s economic diplomacy,” urging full participation from member states. The event was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and brought together envoys, diplomats, and regional representatives to galvanize support ahead of the summit.

WAES, an initiative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is envisioned as a non-political, inclusive platform for accelerating economic integration across West Africa. Ambassador Tuggar underscored the President’s commitment, citing his inaugural address as ECOWAS Chairman in which he declared: “We will work collectively to pursue an inclusive economic integration of West Africa, which will serve as a warning to exploiters that our people have suffered enough.”

Unlike previous efforts confined within institutional frameworks, the summit seeks to engage a broader spectrum of stakeholders, including Heads of State, Ministers, private sector leaders, development partners, youth innovators, and entrepreneurs. The Minister stressed that WAES aims to tackle persistent barriers to intra-regional trade, infrastructure fragmentation, and regulatory inconsistencies.

“The decision to convene WAES outside the traditional ECOWAS structure was intentional,” Ambassador Tuggar said. “It highlights the need for integration that transcends regional blocs and focuses on shared prosperity.”

He called on West African ambassadors to act as champions of the summit by encouraging the participation of their respective Heads of State, trade and finance ministries, business communities, youth innovators, and startup ecosystems. He also urged their contributions in shaping the summit’s agenda and vision.

“Let us see every flag of West Africa represented, every voice heard, and every country’s corporate sector showcased,” the Minister appealed.

To demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment, President Tinubu has reportedly written to all West African Heads of State, personally inviting them and appointing Special Envoys to deepen the diplomatic outreach. Ambassador Tuggar has also dispatched letters to his counterparts, diplomatic missions, business leaders, and regional institutions.

Highlighting the broader historical context, Tuggar said West Africa’s wealth and labour once powered empires but left the region marginalized. He asserted that the summit offers an opportunity for West Africa to redefine its role in the global economy.

“Today, we are no longer spectators. We now stand at the threshold of a new Atlantic era of prosperity,” he declared. “This time, we will ensure equity. This time, West Africa will rise not as a resource base for others, but as a fully engaged and empowered actor in global trade and transformation.”

He concluded by emphasizing that regional unity is crucial in the face of rising global economic protectionism and geopolitical shifts.

“This is a moment of shared responsibility. We must ensure that West Africa is economically relevant, strategically coordinated and globally competitive,” he said.

The Ministry confirmed that further logistical coordination with diplomatic missions will continue in the lead-up to the summit.