West African leaders are gathering today in Nigeria’s capital for the 68th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, held at the State House Conference Centre.
The summit, presided over by Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio — the current ECOWAS Chair — comes at a critical juncture for the region, following a turbulent half-decade marked by multiple military coups and ongoing security challenges.
Nigeria, as host, is represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.
Among the heads of state in attendance are:
– President Patrice Talon of Benin
– President José Maria Neves of Cabo Verde
– President Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire
– President Adama Barrow of The Gambia
– President John Mahama of Ghana
– President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau
– President Joseph Boakai of Liberia
– President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal
– President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo
Key agenda items include a special debate on the future of the ECOWAS community, the presentation of the 2025 Annual Report on the State of the Community, updates on regional security and mediation efforts, progress on Guinea’s political transition, and a review of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) to boost intra-regional trade.
The meeting unfolds against the backdrop of persistent instability in West Africa, including coups in Mali (2020 and 2021), Burkina Faso (twice in 2022), and Niger (2023), as well as a recent foiled coup attempt in Benin on December 7, 2025, and renewed concerns over political developments in Guinea-Bissau.
Leaders are expected to hold closed-door discussions on strengthening democratic governance, enhancing security cooperation, and addressing threats to regional unity and institutional resilience.
The session is anticipated to conclude with the adoption of a final communiqué and a joint press conference.
