Tinubu Hands Over ECOWAS Leadership To Sierra Leone’s President Bio At Abuja Summit.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria has officially transferred the chairmanship of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, marking a significant leadership transition for the regional bloc. The handover took place during the 67th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja on Sunday, 22 June 2025, with regional leaders and stakeholders in attendance.
In a symbolic gesture, President Tinubu presented the ECOWAS emblem to President Bio, expressing optimism about the bloc’s continued progress towards peace, stability, and prosperity. Reflecting on his two-term tenure, which began on 9 July 2023 in Guinea-Bissau and was extended by a unanimous re-election in Abuja on 7 July 2024, Tinubu described his time as ECOWAS chairman as a “profound honour and privilege.” He expressed gratitude for the trust and support of member states, noting the complex political and security challenges faced during his leadership, including military coups and rising insecurity in the Sahel and coastal regions.
“As I now hand over the mantle of leadership to my great friend and dear brother, His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, I do so with a deep sense of fulfilment and optimism for the future of West Africa,” Tinubu said. He urged member states to remain united in their pursuit of a prosperous and secure region, emphasising the need for inclusive growth that prioritises youth, women, and vulnerable populations. “Our organisation must strike a balance between its core mandate of economic integration and the complex political, security, and governance challenges we face. Economic integration cannot thrive in an unstable political environment,” he added.
Tinubu commended the ECOWAS Commission, community institutions, and technical staff for their dedication in supporting the bloc’s work and ensuring the success of the summit. He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the region’s shared mission, calling for deepened cooperation and diplomatic principles to address evolving challenges.
In his inaugural address, President Bio, the first Sierra Leonean to chair the ECOWAS Authority, pledged to lead a “renewed, people-centred, and action-oriented” organisation. He outlined four strategic priorities for his tenure: restoring constitutional order and deepening democracy, revitalising regional security cooperation, unlocking economic integration, and building institutional credibility. “We must engage transitional governments constructively and support member states in building stronger democratic institutions rooted in the rule of law,” Bio said, acknowledging the region’s struggles with terrorism, illicit arms flows, political instability, and transnational crime.
Bio commended Tinubu for laying a “solid foundation” through regional dialogue, economic recovery, and peacebuilding efforts. “I am humbled to build upon the strong foundation you have established,” he said, expressing gratitude for Tinubu’s leadership. The Sierra Leonean president also highlighted the need for reforms to make ECOWAS more transparent, efficient, and responsive to the needs of West Africans, aiming to rebuild trust in regional cooperation.
The leadership transition comes at a critical juncture for ECOWAS, as the bloc navigates challenges such as democratic backsliding and the exit of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso following military coups. Tinubu’s tenure was marked by strong rhetoric against unconstitutional changes of government and efforts to restore democratic governance, alongside a push for deeper economic integration.
The summit, attended by heads of state including President Adama Barrow of The Gambia, President Patrice Talon of Benin, President Joseph Boakai of Liberia, and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal, also addressed broader regional priorities. Discussions focused on accelerating integration through initiatives like the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, biometric ID cards, and infrastructure development, as highlighted by Bio during the West Africa Economic Summit held a day earlier in Abuja.
As President Bio assumes leadership, his vision for a reformed and united ECOWAS has sparked optimism across the region. With Sierra Leone also holding a seat on the UN Security Council, Bio’s chairmanship signals a new chapter for West Africa’s pursuit of peace, democracy, and economic prosperity.