Obasanjo, Nigerian Former President, Warns of ECOWAS Decline Amid Challenges
Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo declared on July 3, 2025, that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is “wounded” and in an “intensive care unit,” needing urgent reform to survive. Speaking at a Channel One TV interview in Accra, he blamed the bloc’s failure to implement its single currency, ECO, on member states’ lack of commitment.
He also highlighted ECOWAS’s struggles with political crises, like coups in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, and its inability to enforce democratic norms. Posts on X noted Togo’s view that ECOWAS has drifted from its economic integration mission to meddling in domestic politics, weakening its credibility. The bloc’s threats of military action in Niger also stirred controversy.
The exit of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso to Oto form the Alliance of Sahel States has further strained ECOWAS, with posts on X citing Nigeria’s heavy-handed approach as a factor. Obasanjo called for stronger leadership to revive the ECO, stalled since 2000, and address economic challenges like the 20% inflation rate impacting trade.
ECOWAS’s response to Togo’s protests, where seven died over constitutional reforms extending President Gnassingbé’s rule, has been criticized as weak, fueling perceptions of ineffectiveness. The former president urged member states to meet the convergence criteria for the ECO to restore trust.
The bloc faces a critical moment, with posts on X warning that inaction could lead to collapse. Obasanjo’s call for reform emphasizes rebuilding unity and economic focus to heal ECOWAS, as regional stability and trade hang in the balance.