Nigeria has called on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to adopt a more coordinated and forceful approach in tackling terrorism, piracy, banditry and other transnational crimes threatening peace and stability across the West African sub-region.
The call was made by the Honourable 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 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Enikanolaiye highlighted Nigeria’s leadership role within ECOWAS, presenting the country’s position on critical regional issues, including security, democracy, governance, regional integration and engagement with the Alliance of Sahelian States (AES).
On regional security, the Minister stressed the urgent need for ECOWAS member states to act collectively against terrorism, piracy, transnational organised crime and banditry, advocating a reinvigorated strategy that would confront criminal groups “from a position of strength and crushing lethality.”
He cited Nigeria’s intensified security operations, noting that enhanced collaboration among security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies had resulted in the rescue of kidnapped victims, arrests of criminal elements and improved security in the Gulf of Guinea, enabling uninterrupted economic activities.
Ambassador Enikanolaiye also urged ECOWAS member states to ensure the prompt payment of the Community Levy, describing it as the financial backbone of the regional bloc. He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to fulfilling its obligations despite the country’s domestic challenges.
On democracy and governance, the Minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to credible democratic processes, assuring member states that preparations for the 2027 general elections were progressing steadily.
He recalled Nigeria’s uninterrupted democratic transitions since 1999 and invited ECOWAS member states and international observers to monitor the 2027 elections, stating that the country remained committed to conducting free, fair and transparent polls that reflect the will of the people.
The Minister also condemned what he described as rising Afrophobic violence in South Africa, where citizens of other African countries have reportedly been targeted in mob attacks.
He reminded the Council of Nigeria’s historic contributions to the struggle against apartheid through financial, diplomatic and material support, and called for ECOWAS to adopt a strong collective position on the issue for presentation to the African Union.
On regional diplomacy, Ambassador Enikanolaiye advocated sustained dialogue and constructive engagement with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger—members of the Alliance of Sahelian States—as well as Guinea-Bissau, stressing that inclusive cooperation remained essential to addressing the region’s security, governance and development challenges.
He urged ECOWAS to develop innovative and effective mechanisms for engaging the AES in response to evolving geopolitical realities and the changing security landscape in West Africa and the Sahel.
The meeting brought together foreign ministers and senior ECOWAS officials to review regional peace and security issues and chart strategies for strengthening stability, democracy and cooperation across the sub-region.
