Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has called on the military-led governments of Niger Republic, Mali, and Burkina Faso to return to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

He emphasized that ECOWAS remains open to engaging with these nations, extending a hand of friendship to facilitate their reintegration into the regional bloc.

Speaking during a meeting with the ECOWAS Chiefs of Defence Staff held on Friday in Abuja, President Tinubu, who also serves as the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, stressed the importance of restoring constitutional governance and enhancing security across the region. He stated, “Our priority is to enhance security and uphold constitutional governance across our region. It has been a challenging period for me, especially with the exit of three member states. We are committed to persuading them to return, by any means necessary.”

Highlighting the collective wisdom of the ECOWAS leadership, Tinubu remarked, “No individual is wiser than the collective leadership we have here. We will extend a hand of friendship to them and provide compelling reasons for their return.” He also commended the defense chiefs for their commitment to regional stability and the preservation of constitutional order.

Tinubu underscored the importance of a collective effort in addressing regional challenges such as terrorism. He said, “The solution to terrorism and other regional challenges lies within our collective efforts. The ECOWAS standby force must be ready, and we will continue to invest in it, as well as in fostering economic prosperity and opportunities across our region.”

During the same meeting, General Christopher Musa, Chairman of the ECOWAS Chiefs of Defence Staff, informed President Tinubu that the defense chiefs had reached a consensus on the need for a unified approach to tackle regional issues, including insurgency and unconstitutional changes in government. Discussions also focused on enhancing ECOWAS’s military capabilities, particularly through the proposed standby force.

General Musa announced the decision to deploy 1,200 troops to Sierra Leone, with several countries pledging support for the initiative. He also noted that ECOWAS finance ministers would be meeting to address critical issues related to funding and logistics. Emphasizing a holistic approach, Musa said, “Achieving long-term stability requires a balanced approach that combines military efforts with the political elements of good governance, peace, and security.” He assured President Tinubu of the defense chiefs’ commitment to working together to ensure the security and stability of the West African sub-region.