ABUJA, Dec 16 (SituationReport) – In a historic move, Nigeria has made its first full payment to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in 19 years, contributing N85.54 billion and $54 million for the 2023 levy and part of 2024. This payment marks a significant step in Nigeria’s commitment to the ECOWAS community and its leadership role in West Africa.
President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, made the announcement during the 66th ordinary summit of ECOWAS, held in Abuja on Sunday, December 15, 2024.
Speaking at the summit, Touray hailed the payment, calling it “a vote of confidence” in the organisation and a demonstration of Nigeria’s leadership under President Bola Tinubu.
“For the first time in 19 years, Nigeria has paid 100% of its community levy from 2023. I am therefore pleased to announce that on Friday, December 13, 2024, Nigeria paid N85 billion and $54 million, representing 100% of the 2023 levy and the 2024 levy up to July 2024,” said Touray. “We all agree that this payment underscores the leadership and commitment of President Tinubu, the government and the people of Nigeria to our community. At a more personal level, it represents confidence in the management I have been privileged to lead since 2022.”
President Tinubu, in his address at the summit, called on all leaders in the region to draw inspiration from Ghana’s recent peaceful elections, which he described as a model of democratic maturity. He praised President Nana Akufo-Addo and the people of Ghana for their successful presidential and parliamentary elections, urging all countries in the region to prioritise national unity and political stability.
“I urge all of us in the region to learn from this good democratic practice and prioritise our country’s national unity to ensure political stability of the region so that this manner of peaceful transition becomes the culture of democracy not only in West Africa but also in the entire Africa continent,” President Tinubu stated.
Tinubu also acknowledged the political maturity demonstrated in Ghana, referring to the concession of defeat by Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, a leading presidential candidate. “This gesture, as it happened in Nigeria in 2015, demonstrates political maturity and respect for the will of the people of Ghana,” he added.
