NIGERIA: Tinubu Urges Swift Action On ECOWAS Standby Force Amid Rising Insecurity

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on West African leaders to urgently operationalise the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Standby Force, citing growing concerns over insecurity and transnational threats across the region.

The appeal was made during his opening remarks at the 67th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government held in Abuja.

The statement was issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

Tinubu, who is concluding his tenure as chairman of the regional bloc, said the delay in activating the force is worrisome and urged immediate action to move from planning to deployment.

“The ECOWAS Standby Force must move from concept to operational reality. I am a little bit worried about the slow pace of its activation, which is taking longer than desired,” the President stated.

He emphasised that the security threats facing the region are increasingly transnational, driven by agile and dangerous networks that do not respect national boundaries.

“No single nation can address these challenges alone. We must strengthen coordination, amplify political will, and prioritise a collective approach to secure the region,” he said.

President Tinubu highlighted some of the achievements recorded under his chairmanship, including the completion of the ECOWAS Military Logistics Depot in Lungi, Sierra Leone, which is expected to enhance the deployment capacity of the regional force.

He disclosed that Nigeria has entered a sea-lift and air-lift arrangement with ECOWAS following the signing of the Sixth Agreement with the African Union in February.

On regional diplomacy, Tinubu expressed optimism that ongoing engagement with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger could result in their eventual return to the ECOWAS community.

“Under my chairmanship, I deployed all diplomatic means to engage and dialogue with our brothers in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. I am confident that before too long, they may return to the family,” he said.

He also stressed the need for stronger economic cooperation, urging member states to empower the private sector and eliminate trade barriers to unlock the region’s full potential.

“Our intra-regional trade remains low, even as we possess the potential to be an economic powerhouse,” he noted.

Tinubu called for the expedited implementation of critical infrastructure projects such as the West African Gas Pipeline, the West African Power Pool, and the Abidjan–Lagos Corridor Highway to drive regional integration and development.