His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio, in his capacity as Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), formally commissioned the new ECOWAS Headquarters in Abuja, greatly contributing to the regional bloc by overseeing the completion and official opening of the complex.
The new headquarters, hailed as a symbol of shared ambition in West Africa, is expected to serve more than 450 million people across the region. It will serve as the home of the ECOWAS Commission, Parliament and the Community Court of Justice, creating a central point for the region’s key institutions and enabling more cohesive regional governance.
Giving his keynote address at the inauguration, President Bio stated that the occasion was more than just the unveiling of a building. “We are not only cutting the ribbon on a new headquarters, but we reaffirm our common belief in the promise of regional integration, the strength of African solidarity and the long-term vision of a peaceful, prosperous and united West Africa,” he said. “The value of the headquarters will not be judged by its physical appearance but by the quality of decisions and action taken within its walls,” he said. ‘It’s not just steel, glass and concrete. “It is a powerful symbol of our shared ambition, collective resilience and relentless commitment to building a stronger and more integrated West Africa,” he said.
President Bio also thanked the Nigerian government and people for their continued support of ECOWAS, which was established in 1975. He also thanked President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government for donating the headquarters, which he said was a demonstration of the strategic partnership between China and West Africa.
The $31.6 million project was funded with a grant from the Chinese government. The new complex is expected to improve coordination between ECOWAS institutions and bolster the region’s pursuit of integration, peace and common development.****
