July 19, 2026 by Bolaji Ogundele, Abuja
Tinubu urges ECOWAS to escalate Afrophobic attacks in South Africa to AU
… Says Nigeria has evacuated 1,490 citizens in seven batches
… Warns constitutional term elongation fuels instability, backs ECOWAS integration compact
President Bola Tinubu on Sunday called on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to place the recent Afrophobic attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa before the African Union Authority, saying the regional bloc must send a clear message that such actions are unacceptable.
Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Lungi, Sierra Leone, said Nigeria strongly condemned the attacks and reminded South Africa that many African countries, including Nigeria, played critical roles in its liberation struggle.
The President disclosed that the Nigerian government had already evacuated 1,490 of its citizens from South Africa in seven batches and remained prepared to engage further on the matter.
“On Afrophobia, Nigeria condemns in strong terms, the recent Afrophobic attack on its citizens and other fellow Africans in the Republic of South Africa. As already mentioned by His Excellency, the President of Ghana, ECOWAS should present this matter before the next meeting of the Authority of the African Union to send a clear message that this type of behaviour is unacceptable.
“South Africa should be reminded that the freedom the country currently enjoys is due to the liberation efforts of African countries such as Nigeria. Nigerian government has evacuated one thousand, four hundred and ninety of its citizens in seven batches and is prepared to engage on this matter”, the President said in his address delivered by Vice President Shettima.
Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the newly developed ECOWAS Compact for the Future of Regional Integration, describing it as a landmark roadmap for strengthening regional solidarity, economic integration, democratic governance and sustainable development across West Africa.
He said Nigeria remained fully committed to implementing the Compact, noting that it aligned with the aspirations of ECOWAS Vision 2050 while extending the bloc’s collective outlook to 2075.
According to the President, the document reflects the determination of member states to renew the ideals of ECOWAS, strengthen regional solidarity and build a more resilient, prosperous, peaceful and people-centred community capable of meeting the aspirations of its more than 400 million citizens.
He said the Compact would help rebuild trust between citizens and public institutions while ensuring regional integration remained relevant amid changing geopolitical realities.
“As the largest economy and one of the key founding members of our Regional Economic Community, Nigeria remains steadfast in its historic responsibility to continue the promotion of regional unity, peace, economic integration and democratic governance”, Tinubu said.
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The President assured fellow leaders that Nigeria would continue working closely with member states and other stakeholders to ensure the effective implementation of the Compact and the achievement of its six strategic pillars.
He argued that sustainable regional prosperity depended on deeper economic integration through expanded trade, industrialisation, tourism, regional value chains, infrastructure development and food security.
Tinubu said Nigeria welcomed the Compact’s ambition to expand intra-regional trade, improve industrial competitiveness, support the gradual implementation of the ECO single currency and accelerate the creation of an integrated regional economy capable of competing globally.
He also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to removing trade barriers, improving cross-border infrastructure and facilitating the free movement of persons, goods and services to create a more favourable environment for businesses and investors across West Africa.
On democratic governance, the President warned that insecurity and instability remained major obstacles to development and reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.
He said Nigeria supported constitutional governance, the rule of law, respect for human rights and zero tolerance for unconstitutional changes of government.
Beyond military coups, however, Tinubu argued that poor governance and constitutional manipulation were major drivers of political instability.
“I am to add that beyond adventurism, the most effective tool against unconstitutional changes of government and mass protests that are capable of undermining good order is for us to enthrone good governance that delivers more tangible benefits to our citizens.
“We must also avoid the temptation to tamper with the constitutional term limits or exploit constitutional processes”, the President said.
Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to establishing the proposed ECOWAS Counter-Terrorism Force and strengthening the ECOWAS Standby Force to improve intelligence sharing, joint security operations, preventive diplomacy and regional responses to terrorism.
He also welcomed the Compact’s emphasis on science, technology, innovation and digital transformation, saying the establishment of a Digital Single Market, regional artificial intelligence frameworks, cybersecurity cooperation and digital infrastructure would create new opportunities for entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, education and youth employment.
The President further praised the Compact’s strong focus on women and youth, describing them as West Africa’s greatest human resource.
He said Nigeria remained committed to advancing gender equality, expanding women’s participation in leadership and decision-making, investing in education and skills development, supporting youth entrepreneurship and ensuring young people played active roles in shaping the region’s future.
Tinubu also called for stronger ECOWAS institutions anchored on sustainable financing, transparency, accountability, efficiency and merit-based governance, saying such reforms were necessary to restore public confidence and ensure the regional body delivered measurable benefits to its citizens.
He noted that West Africa must adapt to an increasingly multipolar global order by speaking with one voice in defending its collective interests, safeguarding regional sovereignty and building partnerships founded on mutual respect, equality and shared prosperity.
On recent tensions within the sub-region, the President reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to dialogue and constructive engagement, particularly with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), saying sustained engagement remained essential for preserving the unity and relevance of ECOWAS.
Earlier, Tinubu congratulated Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio for hosting the summit and for commissioning the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre, where the meeting was held.
He commended Bio for his stewardship of ECOWAS over the past year, saying his leadership had helped sustain dialogue, solidarity and regional cooperation despite political transitions, security challenges, economic pressures and humanitarian concerns across the sub-region.
The President also applauded the ECOWAS Commission for developing the Compact for the Future of Regional Integration, describing it as a forward-looking document that reflected the collective aspirations of West Africans while remaining rooted in the founding principles of the regional bloc.
Tinubu concluded by calling on member states, regional institutions, the private sector, civil society, development partners, women and young people to support the effective implementation of the Compact.
“As we enter this new phase of our regional integration journey, let us reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the successful implementation of the Compact.
“I wish to reiterate that Nigeria will continue to provide principled leadership and work with all Member States to advance our shared vision of a peaceful, integrated, prosperous, secure and globally respected West Africa, in line with our aspirations”, the President said.
Host President and Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, said the summit provided an opportunity for leaders to reflect on the bloc’s achievements and chart a new course for the sub-region.
Bio said the ECOWAS Vision 2050 offers a roadmap for building a peaceful, integrated and prosperous West Africa founded on democratic governance and driven by the creativity and enterprise of its people.
He, however, cautioned that the speed of global transformation demands an honest assessment of the bloc’s progress, urging member states to discard outdated assumptions and adapt to emerging realities.
According to him, West Africa must embrace a new era marked by confidence, strategic clarity and a stronger determination to shape its own future.
“We should build partnerships that expand our opportunities while remaining firmly anchored in our own interests. Dependency narrows the very freedom that strategic partnerships are meant to strengthen.
“In this changing international environment, regional integration is no longer optional; it is a strategic necessity. It demands foresight, preparation and collective action. Our future will be shaped by the institutions we build, the capabilities we develop and the challenges we confront before they become crises.
“We meet at a moment of profound change. Strategic competition is reshaping international partnerships, while capital, technology, energy, critical minerals, food systems, data and artificial intelligence are redefining economic and geopolitical influence.
“At the same time, climate shocks are placing increasing pressure on national budgets, while conflicts far beyond our borders continue to disrupt the supply of food, fuel and fertiliser across our region”, Bio said.
Also speaking, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to strengthening governance, accountability and policy coordination across member states.
Touray said the Commission had revived democratic governance and electoral support mechanisms while enhancing regional responses to security and humanitarian challenges.
“We have enhanced cooperation in combating terrorism, violent extremism, organised crime and other transnational threats that continue to undermine stability and development.
“We are also advancing strategic infrastructure projects that are fundamental to our collective future. The African Atlantic Gas Pipeline stands as one of the most transformative initiatives ever undertaken in our region.
“By connecting several West African coastal states through a major energy corridor, it promises to enhance energy security, support industrialisation, create jobs and strengthen economic interdependence.
“We also continue to make progress on the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Highway Project”, he said.
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