By Raymond Enoch
As the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) marks its 50th anniversary, leading civil society organizations—the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) and the West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS)—have reignited the call for a more inclusive, citizen-focused regional integration.
At a high-level convening held at the Abuja Continental Hotel, key stakeholders from the ECOWAS Commission, civil society, international development partners, policy experts, and the media gathered to assess the journey so far and chart a bold path forward for the bloc.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Dauda Garuba, Director of CDD West Africa, emphasized the importance of the meeting, calling it a pivotal moment to support the ECOWAS Commission in reaffirming its commitment to the prosperity of the region, especially in light of growing security and political challenges.
“ECOWAS has achieved a lot, but it must do more to push its agenda and realize its vision for the region,” Garuba said. “This dialogue is essential to ensure that future actions align with the bloc’s founding ideals and aspirations.”
Echoing these sentiments, WADEMOS Project Coordinator Paul Osei Kuffour stressed the need for reforms within the ECOWAS framework. He warned that the alternative—disintegration—would pose serious risks to regional unity.
“As a voice for democratic governance in West Africa, WADEMOS is committed to engaging stakeholders to ensure the region builds an inclusive and resilient society,” Kuffour said. “Reform is not optional—it is essential to secure a unified future for ECOWAS.”
Themed “Reform or Disintegrate: Which Pathway for the Regional Bloc?”, the convening offered a critical platform for open discussion on the future of West African integration, with the goal of reinforcing political and economic collaboration.
Delivering the keynote address, Professor Jibrin Ibrahim, Senior Fellow at CDD West Africa, reflected on ECOWAS’s evolution from a bloc of states to one of the people. He pointed out that while strides have been made—particularly in democratic governance—there remains a significant gap in youth engagement and employment, which he identified as a core driver of insecurity across the region.
“ECOWAS has overlooked a fundamental reality—its youth,” Professor Ibrahim said. “Guaranteeing their future with jobs and inclusive policies is key to stability. The 50th anniversary presents an opportunity to reset and recommit to the founding principles.”
The meeting also featured a dynamic panel session with distinguished speakers including Ambassador Nkoyo Toyo, former Nigerian Ambassador to Ethiopia and Djibouti; Dr. Brown Odigie from the ECOWAS Commission; Mrs. Yvonne Akpasom of GIZ; and Dr. Ken Ukuoha of NANTs. Discussions centered on reform recommendations and strategies to safeguard the bloc’s future.
In its closing resolution, the convening firmly rejected disintegration, instead urging comprehensive reforms to ECOWAS’s Treaty and Protocols, signaling a clear mandate for leadership renewal, regional solidarity, and deeper integration as the bloc steps into its next half-century.
With a legacy spanning five decades, the call from Abuja is clear: ECOWAS must reform—or risk fading into irrelevance.