President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria has officially handed over the leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone.
The transition took place on Sunday, June 22, 2025, during the 67th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, held in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
President Tinubu, who was first elected ECOWAS Chair on July 9, 2023, in Guinea-Bissau and re-elected a year later, concluded his two-term tenure marked by efforts toward regional security, democratic stability, and economic cooperation.
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Contrary to earlier speculation that Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye had been chosen during a closed-door session, President Bio was formally announced as the new Chair of the regional bloc.
In his inaugural address, President Bio pledged to focus on four key priorities: restoring constitutional order and strengthening democracy, enhancing regional security cooperation, advancing economic integration, and improving the institutional credibility of ECOWAS.
His leadership comes at a critical time for the region, as ECOWAS continues to navigate political instability, security threats, and economic challenges across several member states.
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