By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.

West African leaders gathered in Nigeria’s capital on Sunday for a high-stakes regional summit widely seen as a turning point for the future of the subregion, as insecurity, political instability, and economic pressures continue to test regional unity.

The 68th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) brought presidents, prime ministers, foreign ministers, and top diplomats to the State House in Abuja, alongside representatives of the African Union, the United Nations, and international financial institutions.

Opening the summit, Nigeria reaffirmed its role as a key anchor of the bloc, pledging renewed commitment to regional solidarity, collective security, and shared prosperity. Speaking on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima told leaders that West Africa’s shared geography reflects a deeper historical and cultural bond that must not be undermined by political disagreements.

“Disagreements are inevitable,” Shettima said, “but they must never erode our fraternity or weaken the foundations of this Community.”

Security threats dominate talks

From terrorism and violent extremism to organised crime, climate shocks, and irregular migration, speakers warned that the region faces interconnected threats that no single country can tackle alone. Leaders repeatedly stressed the need for coordinated responses, intelligence sharing, and stronger regional security mechanisms.

A major focus of the session was the defence of democratic governance. ECOWAS leaders strongly condemned recent unconstitutional developments in the region, citing the political crisis in Guinea-Bissau and an attempted disruption of constitutional order in Benin. The bloc was praised for its swift diplomatic and security response, underscoring what leaders described as “zero tolerance” for military takeovers and democratic backsliding.

‘A defining moment’ for ECOWAS

Addressing the summit, ECOWAS Authority Chair and Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio described the meeting as a defining moment, coming nearly five decades after the organisation’s founding.

“Instability in one country threatens the stability of all,” Bio said, calling on leaders to renew ECOWAS’s founding vision with unity and courage. He pledged that under his leadership the bloc would remain people-centred, security-driven and firmly anchored on democracy and the rule of law.

Push for economic integration

Beyond security and politics, leaders placed strong emphasis on economic integration. Commitments were renewed to deepen regional trade, accelerate monetary convergence, and expand cross-border infrastructure in transport, energy, and digital connectivity.

Special attention was given to the ECOWAS Business Council, whose leaders said would help bridge the gap between governments and the private sector, mobilise regional capital,l and boost intra-regional investment.

Air travel costs to drop in 2026

In one of the summit’s most tangible outcomes, ECOWAS announced a significant reduction in the cost of air travel within the region. From January 1, 2026, member states will abolish certain air travel taxes and cut passenger and security charges by 25%.

Leaders hailed the move as a practical step toward making regional integration meaningful for ordinary citizens, easing cross-border mobility, stimulating tourism, and strengthening social and economic ties.

Climate and humanitarian challenges

Humanitarian concerns also featured prominently, as leaders acknowledged the growing impact of climate change, flooding, displacement, and food insecurity. The summit called for stronger coordination with development partners, better early warning systems, and increased investment in disaster risk management, with women and youth placed at the centre of resilience and recovery efforts.

Messages delivered on behalf of the United Nations and the African Union praised ECOWAS for its firm stance on constitutional order and regional security, while reaffirming their readiness to deepen cooperation in combating terrorism and supporting democratic transitions.

As leaders moved into closed-door deliberations, optimism remained high that the Abuja summit would strengthen trust among member states and reposition ECOWAS as a more cohesive and influential regional bloc.

The message from Abuja was unmistakable: for West Africa’s more than 400 million people, unity is no longer a choice; it is a necessity.