JUST IN: Tinubu, ECOWAS leaders meet to discuss Benin coup attempt, other issues
Tinubu Attends ECOWAS 68th Ordinary Session as Shettima Leads Nigeria’s Delegation in Abuja
President Bola Tinubu is attending the 68th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government holding at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, on Sunday, www.cjsoftflix.com reports.
However, Vice President Kashim Shettima is representing Nigeria at the summit, marking the first time he is leading the country’s delegation at an ECOWAS meeting held on Nigerian soil while the President remains in the country.
Tinubu, who served as ECOWAS Chairman from July 2023 to July 2025 before handing over to President Julius Bio of Sierra Leone, delegated Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation. No official explanation was given for the decision.
Focus on ECOWAS Future Amid Regional Turbulence
The meeting, which commenced at 3:00 p.m. local time, features a special debate on the future of the ECOWAS Community, according to the draft agenda obtained by www.cjsoftflix.com.
In attendance are several West African leaders, including:
- Julius Bio – President of Sierra Leone and ECOWAS Chair
- Patrice Talon – President of Benin
- José Maria Neves – President of Cabo Verde
- Alassane Ouattara – President of Côte d’Ivoire
- Adama Barrow – President of The Gambia
- John Mahama – President of Ghana
- Umaro Embaló – President of Guinea-Bissau
- Joseph Boakai – President of Liberia
- Bassirou Faye – President of Senegal
- Faure Gnassingbé – President of Togo
Mahama returned as Ghana’s president in January 2025, succeeding Nana Akufo-Addo.
Key Addresses and Closed-Door Deliberations
The public opening ceremony featured welcome remarks by the host country, a statement by ECOWAS Commission President Dr. Omar Touray, and an opening address by ECOWAS Chair Julius Bio.
The Chief of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Leonardo Santos Simão, and the African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Bankole Adeoye, are also scheduled to speak before leaders proceed to a closed-door session.
Security, Trade, and Regional Stability on the Agenda
Items listed for consideration include the 2025 State of the Community report, updates from the Mediation and Security Council, the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, and special reports on Guinea-Bissau, Benin, and Guinea’s political transition.
The summit comes after five turbulent years for West Africa, marked by coups in Mali (2020, 2021), Burkina Faso (2022), and Niger (2023), which led to Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso announcing their withdrawal from ECOWAS in early 2024.
Benin Crisis and Nigeria’s Military Response
Recent flashpoints include the December 7, 2025 attempted coup in Benin and renewed instability in Guinea-Bissau, which former President Goodluck Jonathan described as a “ceremonial coup.”
Following the Benin incident, President Tinubu ordered the deployment of Nigerian jets and troops at the request of the Béninoise government. The Senate subsequently approved the deployment on December 9 to restore calm and stability.
Benin’s foreign ministry confirmed that about 200 West African troops, mainly from Nigeria and Ivory Coast, are currently supporting the country’s security efforts.
Economic and Strategic Stakes
Benin’s stability is crucial to Nigeria’s economy, with the Port of Cotonou serving as a major gateway for Nigerian-bound goods and re-export trade. The Sèmè border crossing on the Lagos–Abidjan corridor remains one of the busiest commercial routes in West Africa.
Additionally, China’s 2,000-kilometre Niger–Benin oil pipeline transports Nigerien crude to the Sèmè-Kpodji offshore terminal, making it a strategic energy asset for the sub-region.
Leaders are expected to deliberate on tighter security cooperation, sanctions, economic integration tools, and also fix a date for the 69th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS. For continuous updates on ECOWAS, Nigerian politics, and West African affairs, stay with www.cjsoftflix.com.
