Tinubu warns of threats to West Africa’s future at ECOWAS Golden Jubilee

By Kunle Sanni

President Bola Tinubu has highlighted the pressing challenges facing West Africa, warning that the region’s future is in jeopardy despite over 50 years of cooperation.

Speaking through the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu, at the official launch of the ECOWAS Golden Jubilee in Accra, Ghana, on Tuesday, Tinubu—serving as ECOWAS Chairman—outlined a range of critical issues threatening regional progress.

He identified poverty, lack of quality education, and widespread youth unemployment as major obstacles to the vision of economic integration and sustainable development.

“Too many of our citizens live in poverty, too many children lack access to quality education, and too many young people remain unemployed or disillusioned,” Tinubu stated. “As a result, many are compelled to seek opportunities abroad.”

The president also pointed to emerging threats such as violent extremism, climate change, food insecurity, and a resurgence of unconstitutional power grabs, which undermine the democratic foundations of the region.

“The wave of unconstitutional changes in our region erodes the democratic gains we have worked so hard to achieve,” he said, referencing recent coups and political unrest.

Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to democracy, good governance, and regional unity, Tinubu called for a renewed focus on empowering the youth through innovation, education, and investment in intra-regional trade.

He concluded by advocating bold reforms, including the creation of a single regional currency and improved infrastructure to enhance market connectivity across West Africa—measures he believes are essential to achieving deeper integration and long-term growth.