ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) ministers gathered in Abuja for their 93rd ordinary session to address critical issues facing the region. The meeting, chaired by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, covered topics ranging from trade and security to governance and regional integration.

In his opening speech, ECOWAS President Omar Touray praised Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian people for their continued support of the regional organization. He noted that the timing of the meeting was crucial, given the persistent challenges in West Africa.

Touray also shared that 30 key issues would be discussed, including trade, security, agriculture, and regional stability. A significant concern was the decline in remittances, with only 40 percent of expected remittances coming from ECOWAS member states in the past six years.

Touray commended the peaceful elections in Liberia, Senegal, Togo, and Ghana, which, he said, showed the importance of democracy and peace in the region. He urged member states to renew their commitment to the core values of ECOWAS to promote peace and stability in West Africa.