The Economic Community of West Africa States ECOWAS has began a two-day meeting of the Ad Hoc Ministerial Committee for the Allocation of Statutory Positions of ECOWAS Institutions to Member States in Abuja on Tuesday.
The committee is to review the allocation and rotation of statutory leadership positions across its institutions for the 2026–2030 term.
In his welcome address, ECOWAS President, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray said the committee would be updated on a memo setting out the framework for the allocation of the statutory positions for consideration.
Touray who commended President Bola Tinubu for the excellent facilities at its disposal for the success of this meeting, said that the ad hoc Committee will review this proposal with the broader interest of the Community at heart.
"During this meeting, the Commission will be presenting a memo setting out the framework for the allocation of the statutory positions for your consideration. The memo was prepared taking into account the provisions of the 2012 Supplementary Act and historical data on the allocations of the statutory positions of the institutions since 1975.
"It is the expectation that the ad hoc Committee will review this proposal with the broader interest of the Community at heart. The Commission stands ready to provide any services that would ease the work of the Committee," he said.
He thanked the minister and her team for outstanding collaboration with the Commission towards the convening of this meeting.
He recalled that during the 94th Ordinary Session of Council, in June this year, here in Abuja, he had informed Council of the action taking by the Commission to notify the Heads of State and Government of the impending end of mandate of the current management of ECOWAS Institutions by July 14, 2026.
"This was in compliance with the 2012 Supplementary Act on the Modalities for the Allocation of Statutory Positions in ECOWAS Institutions. In addition, Article 14, paragraph 3 of the Supplementary Act mandated Council to recommend the allocation of the positions to the ECOWAS Authority based on a proposal to be submitted by the President of the Commission.
"To facilitate this process, Council, in June, established this six-member ad hoc committee, comprising of the Republics of Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo, to review the proposed allocation of the Commission and submit it to Council for consideration, and ultimately to the ECOWAS Authority for decision.
"During this meeting, the Commission will be presenting a memo setting out the framework for the allocation of the statutory positions for your consideration. The memo was prepared taking into account the provisions of the 2012 Supplementary Act and historical data on the allocations of the statutory positions of the institutions since 1975.
"It is the expectation that the ad hoc Committee will review this proposal with the broader interest of the Community at heart. The Commission stands ready to provide any services that would ease the work of the Committee."
While declaring the meeting open in her remarks, the Minister for State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu stressed the significance of the task.
"We have been entrusted with the responsibility of reviewing and considering proposals for the allocation of statutory positions within they ECOWAS Institutions for the term 2026 to 2030.
"This task takes on particular urgency as the current statutory appointees, serving non-renewable four-year terms, are set to complete their tenures between July and October, 2026.
"Our mandate, therefore, is to carefully review the Commission’s proposals and to submit our report to Council of Ministers during the Statutory Meetings in December 2025, for its final consideration and subsequent recommendation to the Authority.
"I would therefore like to use this opportunity to commend the President of the ECOWAS Commission and his team for the comprehensive and well-prepared Memorandum provided to guide our deliberations over the course of this two-day engagement.
"The document thoughtfully reflects the relevant legal framework governing the allocation of statutory positions within the ECOWAS Institutions, and will no doubt serve as a valuable reference in facilitating our discussions."
The minister who noted that the appointment of statutory positions within ECOWAS institutions remains a matter of considerable importance and sensitivity among Member States said this issue has become even more delicate in recent times, given the reduction in number of statutory positions available following the implementation of the ECOWAS institutional Reforms.
She recalled the critical role Nigeria, as a long standing and committed Member State, played in shaping and supporting the institutional reforms which cumulated in the current and more streamlined structure aimed at reducing operational costs, optimizing administrative efficiency, and enhancing the effectiveness and impact of ECOWAS programmes across the region.
"I want to therefore assure you that as part of our enduring commitment to the ideals of regional integration and solidarity, Nigeria will continue to assume its traditional leadership role by constructively engaging with all Member States to build consensus and ensure that our collective decisions reflect both equity and a shared vision for the future of our Community.
"In this context, our Committee must be mindful of the need to uphold fairness and inclusivity in the distribution of the statutory positions within the ECOWAS Institutions. It is also essential that the aspirations of all Member States, particularly those with smaller populations or limited resources, but who have nonetheless demonstrated unflinching commitment to the organization, are duly recognized and accommodated.
"It is equally important to underscore that our membership of this Ad-hoc Committee should not be construed as a pathway to positions of leadership within the ECOWAS Institutions. Rather, our engagement should be guided by the principles of regional solidarity, prioritizing the collective interest of the Community above national aspirations. In doing so, we will contribute to fostering deeper unity, mutual trust, and a shared sense of purpose among our citizens.
"As we prepare to commence deliberations on the Memorandum before us, I encourage us all to approach our discussions with unflinching commitment, open-mindedness and a spirit of constructive dialogue. Let us remain focused on ensuring that the outcomes of our engagements are both meaningful and impactful for the future of our region."