President Julius Maada Bio, The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has appointed President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone as the new Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, following the end of President Bola Tinubu’s tenure.
President Bio replaces Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was elected in Guinea-Bissau in 2023 and served two terms as ECOWAS Chairman.
President Tinubu expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity, describing his leadership as a privilege. “It has been an honour to serve this esteemed body. I’m humbled by the trust and support I received throughout my two-term leadership of ECOWAS,” Tinubu said.
As he handed over the ECOWAS leadership to President Bio, Tinubu voiced optimism for West Africa’s future. He stressed the need for unity, peace, security, and economic prosperity across member states.
“ECOWAS must maintain its commitment to economic integration while also addressing political and security issues. Without a stable political environment, regional economic growth cannot thrive,” Tinubu stated.
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He further called on West African leaders to uphold democratic values, promote inclusive growth, and address the needs of youth, women, and vulnerable communities, who he described as central to the region’s future.
Tinubu commended the ECOWAS Commission and all institutions for their dedication, professionalism, and for hosting a successful summit. He urged member nations to remain united in building a more integrated and secure West Africa.
President Julius Maada Bio, in his acceptance speech at the 67th Ordinary Session held in Abuja, pledged to lead a people-focused and reform-driven ECOWAS that meets the urgent challenges facing the region.
He outlined four major priorities under his leadership:
1. Restoring constitutional order and strengthening democracy
2. Revamping regional security collaboration
3. Accelerating economic integration
4. Improving ECOWAS institutional transparency and responsiveness
President Bio said his administration would support transitional governments, advocate for rule of law, and overhaul the regional security framework for better intelligence sharing and faster response to threats.
On the economic front, Bio emphasized expanding the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, boosting cross-border infrastructure, and building resilient value chains to create jobs—especially for women and youth.
He called for internal reforms to make ECOWAS more efficient and trustworthy, noting that restoring public confidence in regional cooperation is essential.
Recognizing the legacy of President Tinubu, Bio said, “Your tenure was defined by regional dialogue, economic recovery, and peacebuilding. I am honoured to build upon the strong foundation you’ve laid.”
President Bio also pointed out the growing challenges facing the West African region, from terrorism and illicit arms trafficking to political instability and transnational crime, especially in the Sahel and coastal areas.
He noted that democracy is under threat in some states, where constitutional order has been disrupted. Yet, he emphasized, citizens—particularly the youth—are now demanding not just elections, but accountability, transparency, and meaningful inclusion in national development.
“Economically, our region is recovering from global shocks—ranging from inflation and food insecurity to energy shortages and debt vulnerabilities
