Nigeria Pledges Continued Support for ECOWAS Regional Security

By Zainab Uzomah| Abuja

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to supporting regional security initiatives under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

According to the statement released to the press by the Director, Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba; Oluyede gave the assurance on Tuesday when the outgoing and incoming Chairmen of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff (CCDS) paid him a courtesy visit at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.

The outgoing chairman, Sierra Leone’s Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Amara Idara Bangura, commended Nigeria for its longstanding contributions to peace and stability in West Africa.Bangura, who said the two military chiefs had spent the past two days completing the formalities for the leadership transition, expressed appreciation for Nigeria’s support to the committee and the region’s security architecture.

He particularly acknowledged Nigeria’s historical assistance to Sierra Leone during its civil war and subsequent peace consolidation efforts, as well as its contributions to peacekeeping, counter-terrorism cooperation and logistics support. He urged Nigeria to extend the same level of support to his successor to sustain regional peace and stability.

The incoming chairman, Senegal’s Chief of Defence Staff, Vice Admiral Oumar Wade, highlighted the growing security challenges confronting West Africa, including terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime and maritime insecurity.

Wade called for Nigeria’s continued guidance, support and active participation in the committee’s activities, describing the country as a key regional power whose contributions were vital to the success of collective security efforts.

Responding, Oluyede called on ECOWAS member states to strengthen unity, cooperation and solidarity to address common security threats.He urged countries in the sub-region to set aside political differences, bilateral disputes and other divisions, stressing that no nation could effectively secure itself in isolation.

The CDS described the visit as a demonstration of solidarity and shared commitment to regional security.He assured Wade of Nigeria’s full support throughout his tenure, adding that the country remained committed to regional peace, integration and development.

The visit comes as West African countries continue to confront security threats that require stronger military cooperation, intelligence sharing and coordinated regional responses.