NIGERIA’S FOREIGN MINISTER WARNS AGAINST ECONOMIC DEPENDENCE ON FORMER COLONIAL POWERS
Written by Olakunle Oke on June 19, 2025
At the opening of the 94th ECOWAS Council of Ministers session in Abuja, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and current ECOWAS Chairman, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, issued a firm warning against the region’s continued economic dependence on former colonial powers.
Tuggar urged West African nations to prioritize regional trade, accelerate infrastructure development, and strengthen collective self-reliance in order to reclaim their economic destinies.
He highlighted the original goal of ECOWAS — economic decolonization — as central to the bloc’s mission, and called for bold, collaborative decisions to deepen integration across member states.
Also speaking at the event, ECOWAS Commission President, Dr. Omar Touray, listed key agenda items under discussion. These included:
Trade liberalization and industrial development
The need to eliminate non-tariff barriers that are still stifling regional commerce
Consumer protection and competition agreements
Progress on political dialogue with Guinea
Dr. Touray further announced a joint security strategy between Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to combat terrorism and violent extremism, emphasizing the urgency of unity and swift action to protect the region and stimulate growth.
