President Bola Tinubu has hosted his Ghanaian counterpart, John Mahama, at the State House in Abuja, with regional stability high on the agenda. Mahama’s visit, his first official trip to Nigeria since his inauguration on January 7, 2025, saw the two leaders discuss strengthening bilateral ties and addressing critical issues within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The meeting comes at a sensitive time for ECOWAS, which is facing a significant crisis due to political instability in Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali. Military coups and rising extremism in these countries have strained regional cooperation and posed a serious challenge to the bloc’s authority.
Tinubu, who visited Mahama in Accra shortly after the Ghanaian election in December 2024, expressed confidence in his counterpart’s leadership in promoting regional peace and collaboration.
The outcomes of the meeting are expected to have a significant impact on the future direction of ECOWAS and the stability of the West African region, including regional stability, ECOWAS cohesion, and bilateral relations, among others.
Given Nigeria and Ghana’s positions as influential members of ECOWAS, their cooperation is crucial in navigating the current regional crisis. The meeting is expected to send a message of unity within the sub-region, which is crucial at a time when the bloc’s cohesion is being tested. It also shows the rest of the world that ECOWAS is still a relevant body and that powerful members are willing to work together.
