Former governor of Ekiti State and Nigeria’s former minister of mines and steel development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, at the weekend met with the president of ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Alieu Oumar Touray, ahead of a high level conference being organized by the Amandla Institute to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the West African regional body.
Dr. Fayemi, who is currently the president of the Forum of Regions of Africa, is also the founder of Amandla Institute, a pan-African, independent think tank and policy research organisation that is dedicated to advancing governance, security, and development across the African continent.
In a post on his verified Facebook page, seen by The Africanscholar, Dr. Fayemi wrote that “in preparation for the Amandla Institute–ECOWAS at 50 High-Level Reflection Conference taking place in Abuja on 24–25 June, I had the honour of paying a courtesy visit to the President of the ECOWAS Commission, His Excellency, Dr Alieu Oumar Touray. Having worked closely with ECOWAS for over three decades, this moment stands as a significant point for reflection and renewal.
“The 50th anniversary of ECOWAS is a moment to take stock. Over the decades, the organisation has made important strides in regional cooperation and integration, often in the face of deep scepticism. At the same time, the current context presents serious challenges. The region faces complex security threats, widening governance and development gaps, and increased geopolitical contestation.
“The upcoming high-level meeting brings together key figures who have shaped the ECOWAS story over the years. It offers a unique space for honest reflection on past achievements and missteps, and for charting a credible path forward. The future of regional integration in West Africa depends on renewed leadership, deeper solidarity, and a clear-eyed understanding of the moment we are in.
“Amandla Institute stands ready to play its part at this auspicious moment.”
