The new Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, has pledged to lead the regional bloc with a focus on restoring democratic order, strengthening security, boosting economic growth, and rebuilding trust in ECOWAS.
Delivering his acceptance speech at the 67th Ordinary Session in Abuja on Sunday, President Bio said his leadership would be guided by the urgent need to re-centre ECOWAS around the interests of its citizens, particularly the youth, women, and those affected by conflict and hardship.
He emphasized the importance of revamping the region’s security structure to meet emerging threats, particularly in the Sahel and coastal areas where terrorism, illicit arms flow, and transnational crime have destabilized several communities.
On economic development, the Sierra Leonean leader highlighted the need to turn regional trade and infrastructure projects into drivers of job creation and resilience. He stressed that cross-border initiatives must be shaped to meet the real needs of the people.
President Bio also called for an internal overhaul of the ECOWAS system, stressing that transparency and responsiveness are essential if the bloc is to retain the trust of citizens and remain relevant in an increasingly complex global environment.
“We must overhaul our collective security architecture—from intelligence sharing to rapid response capabilities—to confront new threats with unity and resolve.
“The ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, regional infrastructure, and cross-border value chains must become engines of job creation, trade, and resilience, especially for our women and youth.
“ECOWAS must reform itself to become more transparent, efficient, and responsive to the needs of its people. This is how we will rebuild trust in regional cooperation, “he said.
He acknowledged the leadership of his predecessor, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria, whom he praised for steering the region through a turbulent period marked by political transitions, economic uncertainty, and security threats.
“I am humbled to build upon the strong foundation you have established,” he said, thanking President Tinubu for his “experience and leadership.”
Earlier in the session, President Tinubu formally handed over the reins of ECOWAS leadership, expressing hope for continued unity and cooperation among member states. He urged leaders to remain focused on peace, political stability, and economic progress.
As President Bio assumes the chairmanship, ECOWAS faces the challenge of navigating a complex regional landscape while delivering tangible improvements in governance, security, and trade across West Africa.
