By Kolawole Ojebisi
Former Nigerian Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon and an erstwhile foreign Affairs minister, Prof Bolaji Akinyemi have weighed in on ways to reintegrate some States within the Sahel region which recently indicated their decision to opt out of the Economic Community of West African States(ECOWAS).
General Gowon suggested a rechristening of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as parts of renewed diplomatic bids to reintegrate some the Sahel States which signalled intention to leave the regional bloc.
Gowon spoke on Tuesday at an ongoing international conference with the theme: “ECOWAS at 50”, being held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs in Lagos.
The conference was hosted by the NIIA in collaboration with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung.
The former Head of States, who is one of the founding fathers of ECOWAS, described the exit as deeply regrettable but praised the regional bloc for keeping the door open for reconciliation.
He, however, expressed optimism that all hope is not lost to bring back the Sahel States to the fold of ECOWAS by invoking the spirit of African unity and brotherhood.
“We had thought the era of countries leaving ECOWAS was over,” he said. “Unfortunately, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger decided to exit. Still, I do not lose hope. ECOWAS has lost three out of 15 members, but ECOWAS is still standing—even if slightly truncated.
“With ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at peaceful dialogue, I am confident we will succeed in wooing them back. Every action and every visit being made is a step toward their eventual return,” Gowon said.
He continued, “If what it takes is to add another ‘S’ to become ECOWASS—Economic Community of West African States and Sahel—then so be it,”
Also speaking at the occasion, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bolaji Akinyemi, stressed that Nigeria has been quietly wooing back the Sahel States into the regional block, citing the country’s intervention during a recent fuel crisis in Niger, where the government reportedly sent 300 tankers of fuel to assist the neighbouring country.
“Nigeria didn’t grandstand. It acted quietly, helping a neighbour without making them lose face. That act of brotherhood paved the way for renewed engagement,” Akinyemi maintained.
He also noted the recent visit of Niger’s Foreign Minister to Nigeria as further evidence that ties are not completely severed.
“There is no doubt in my mind that these countries will return. They are embracing the African way of solving problems—dialogue, solidarity, and respect,” he added.
Also speaking at the event, German Consul General in Lagos, Mr. Weert Börner, advised African nation to come up with home-spun policies toward addressing their challenges, while urging the continent against becoming overly reliant on Russia for peace and development.
The Resident Representative of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, Marija Peran, called for deeper integration across the region, especially in economic governance, security, and sustainable development.
The ongoing ECOWAS golden jubilee is coming amid the decision of Mali, Niger and Butkina-Faso to pull out of the regional bloc.
ECOWAS was founded on May 28, 1975, to strengthen regional ties among the West African nations.
Recall that on January 29, 2025, the three Sahel nations formally withdrew from ECOWAS after months of diplomatic impasse and their refusal to restore democratic rule.
Though ECOWAS recognised their withdrawal, it had offered a six-month grace period for reconsideration.
Among dignitaries at the historic event included the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Mrs. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin; 2023 SDP presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo; former Foreign Affairs Minister, Maj. Gen. Ike Nwachukwu (retd.); Mrs. Erelu Dosumu-Abiola; NSCDC Commandant-General, Dr. Abubakar Audi, Prof. Olawale Albert and Prof. Bola Akinterinwa.
