By Melvin Tejan Mansaray, Abuja Nigeria
The President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, H.E. Dr. Alieu Omar Touray has called on the legislators of ECOWAS Parliament to exercise robust oversight on the implementation of the organization’s work programme.
He made this call to ECOWAS Parliamentarians while delivering a high-level executive summary on some of the key programmes under implementation on Friday 8th May, 2026 in the ongoing Sixth Legislature’s 2026 First Ordinary Session holding at the International Conference Center, Area 10 Abuja, Nigeria.
Dr. Touray started by commending the ECOWAS Parliamentarians for their unwavering commitment to regional integration, democratic governance, accountability, and the advancement of policies that promote peace, prosperity, and inclusive development across member states.
The fourteen-page speech contained fifty-four paragraphs that addressed the global economic headwinds and its impact on the ECOWAS economic projections.
It addresses the subject of political affairs, democracy and governance which he said is being continuously advanced with significant progress achieved in preventive diplomacy, mediation, electoral assistance, and institutional capacity-building.
Dr. Touray noted that ECOWAS has remained steadfast in advancing regional peace, security and stability by strengthening collective responses, deepening corporation among member states and reinforcing the institutions that safeguard its shared future.
Dr. Touray said:
“The consolidation of regional economic integration remains at the core of our mandate.”
He added that within the framework of inclusive and sustainable development, “ECOWAS delivered major humanitarian and social results.”
He underscored that ECOWAS has strengthened disaster resilience, social inclusion and public health, adding that, “our youth and sports agenda continues to promote unity and social cohesion.”
Dr. Touray briefed Legislators that in the education sector, “the ECOWAS Nnamdi Azikiwe Academic Mobility Scheme continues to stand as one of our flagship initiatives for youth.”
He stressed that further progress was made in higher education and training through a Spanish-funded Master’s Scholarship Programme in Diplomacy.
He said in the cultural sector, “ECOWAS made important progress regarding restitution of African cultural property.”
Dr. Touray noted that ECOWAS recorded major achievements in the area of digital transformation adding that the Project Reparation and Development Unit also advanced flagship regional projects.
“Food and nutrition security also remained a priority,” Dr. Touray said, reminding lawmakers that, “institutional reform remains essential to a stronger ECOWAS.”
He acknowledged that the challenges ahead are real but so too are their capacities, common history and shared aspirations.
Dr. Touray implored Members of the ECOWAS Parliament to ” exercise robust oversight on the implementation of the ECOWAS work programme, advocate for the timely and adequate release of community levies and contributions by Member States; champion legislations and resolutions that accelerate integration and protect the rights of West African citizens; and give voice in this Chamber to the aspirations of the four hundred million people we serve.”
It should be stated that the speech was Dr. Touray’s farewell to the Community Parliamentarians as his four years tenure come to an end in August, 2026.
Towards this end, the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Rt. Hon. Hadja Memounatou Ibrahima ordered a standing ovation which had been preceded by huge praises from lawmakers who honored Dr. Touray for his respect to always honoring and appearing before the Parliament pursuant to Article 32.1 of the ECOWAS Supplementary Act.
He was in the end presented an award for his exceptional service to the ECOWAS by the Speaker.
The ECOWAS Commission is the primary Executive branch of the ECOWAS, dedicated to regional economic integration, peace, and development among 15 (or now 12) West African member states.
The Commission is Headquartered in the newly Chinese-built edifice in Abuja, Nigeria.
The Commission transformed from an Executive Secretariat in 2007 to better implement policies, foster trade, and manage security, with a vision of creating an “ECOWAS of Peoples” by 2050.