Vice President represents President Bola Tinubu at the 69th ECOWAS Heads of State Summit focused on regional security and economic integration

Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Freetown, Sierra Leone, to represent President Bola Tinubu at the 69th Ordinary Session of the Authority of the Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

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The trip was confirmed in a statement issued on Sunday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, who said Shettima would participate in the high-level regional summit alongside other political and business leaders from across West Africa and beyond.

The Shettima ECOWAS summit engagement will take place at the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre in Freetown, where regional leaders are expected to deliberate on key issues affecting the sub-region.

According to the Presidency, the meeting will focus on major policy decisions and strategic resolutions aimed at reinforcing the commitment of ECOWAS member states to peace, democratic governance, economic growth and regional integration.

“The summit is expected to focus on key policy decisions, strategic resolutions, and reaffirm the leaders’ collective commitment to peace, democracy, economic growth, and regional integration,” the statement said.

The Presidency noted that the gathering forms part of the ECOWAS mid-year statutory meetings and will bring together Heads of State and Government, ministers, senior government officials and representatives of regional institutions.

Discussions are expected to cover a broad range of issues, including regional security, democratic governance, economic integration, trade, infrastructure development and sustainable growth.

The summit comes at a time when West Africa continues to confront complex political, security and economic challenges, including efforts to strengthen democratic institutions, combat insecurity, deepen regional trade and improve cross-border infrastructure.

ECOWAS leaders are also expected to review the implementation of previous resolutions and consider new measures designed to enhance cooperation among member states in addressing shared regional priorities.

The regional bloc has in recent years played a central role in promoting peace, conflict resolution and democratic governance across West Africa while advancing initiatives aimed at accelerating economic integration through the free movement of people, goods and services.

Nigeria, the largest economy and most populous country within ECOWAS, has historically remained one of the bloc’s most influential members, often taking a leading role in regional peacekeeping, diplomacy and economic cooperation.

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The Presidency said Shettima would return to Abuja after concluding his engagements at the 69th ECOWAS Heads of State Summit, where leaders are expected to adopt a series of critical resolutions intended to strengthen regional cooperation and address evolving challenges facing the sub-region.