By Okafor Joseph Afam | December 16, 2024

The Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government has paid N85 billion ($54 million) as its community levy to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), marking a historic fulfillment of its obligations to the regional bloc.

The payment, which represents 100% of Nigeria’s levy from January 2023 to July 2024, was confirmed by Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, during his opening remarks at the 66th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.

Touray, while applauding Nigeria’s commitment, noted the significance of this milestone.

“The good news, and indeed, a very good news, is that for the first time in 19 years, Nigeria has decided to pay 100 per cent of its community levy from 2023,” Touray announced.

He further revealed that the payment was made on Friday, December 13, 2024, underscoring Nigeria’s leadership role in the region.

“I am therefore pleased to announce that Nigeria paid N85 billion and $54 million, representing 100 per cent of the 2023 levy and the levy of 2024 up to July 2024.”

Touray praised President Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian government, and its citizens for demonstrating leadership and commitment to the ECOWAS community. However, he expressed concern over the slow remittances of the levy by other member states, which, according to him, continue to pose challenges to the community’s financial stability.

“The bad news is that the community levy remittances continue to be slow. A number of countries have fallen behind with their remittances. This needs to be reversed,” he urged.

Tinubu Hosts 11 African Leaders

Sunday’s high-level meeting is being hosted by President Tinubu in his capacity as Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government, a position he assumed in June 2023 and secured for a second term in June 2024.

The meeting, attended by 11 other African presidents, comes at a critical time, following the decision of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to withdraw from ECOWAS in January 2024. Delegates are expected to deliberate on sanctions imposed on these nations, as well as broader issues affecting regional stability.

Key Issues on the Agenda

1. Regional Security: Leaders will discuss strategies to combat the surge of terrorism in the Sahel region and address political instability in affected member states.
2. Political Transitions: The meeting will focus on reviewing progress in nations under military rule, advocating for shorter transitions to civilian governance.
3. Economic Integration: The bloc will deliberate on accelerating the adoption of ECO, ECOWAS’s proposed single currency, to foster regional economic growth.

Rising Tensions and Regional Unity

The conclave holds against a backdrop of rising regional tensions, particularly with the political fallout from member states exiting ECOWAS. Nonetheless, the remaining 12 member states—Benin Republic, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo—continue to push for unity and cooperation.

The discussions in Abuja are expected to provide direction for regional peace, security, and economic integration, reaffirming ECOWAS’s role as a cornerstone for West African stability.