Tinubu Receives Outgoing ECOWAS Commission President

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday received the outgoing President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, as the regional body prepares for a leadership transition later this year.

The meeting, held behind closed doors at the State House, formed part of Touray’s engagements ahead of the completion of his four-year tenure as head of the executive arm of the Economic Community of West African States.

Photographs released by the State House media office showed Touray arriving at the Presidential Villa accompanied by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye. However, officials did not disclose the specific issues discussed during the meeting.

Although no official communiqué was issued after the audience, the visit comes at a significant period for the regional bloc, which continues to address security, political and economic challenges across West Africa.

Touray is expected to formally hand over the leadership of the ECOWAS Commission in the coming weeks after completing his 2022–2026 mandate.

The Gambian diplomat assumed office on July 3, 2022, after receiving unanimous support from his home country and endorsement by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government. He succeeded Ivorian diplomat Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, who led the Commission from 2018 until 2022.

Throughout his tenure, Touray oversaw the Commission during a period marked by political transitions, regional security concerns and renewed efforts to strengthen economic integration among member states.

Before joining the ECOWAS Commission, Touray built an extensive diplomatic career. He served as The Gambia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations before being appointed Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs under former President Yahya Jammeh.

He was relieved of that position in September 2009 and later joined the Islamic Development Bank, where he continued his international public service before returning to diplomacy.

Tinubu, who currently plays a prominent role in regional affairs, has remained actively involved in ECOWAS initiatives since assuming office as Nigeria’s president. Thursday’s meeting highlighted ongoing cooperation between Nigeria and the regional organisation as ECOWAS prepares for its next phase of leadership.