National News
Nigeria Threatens To Dump ECOWAS Over Discrepancies in Recruitment
Nigeria Threatens To Dump ECOWAS Over Discrepancies in Recruitment
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria has threatened to withdraw its membership in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) over alleged discrepancies in ongoing recruitment exercises by the regional body.
The regional body was recently directed at the 2022 First Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja to suspend the ongoing recruitment, which some Nigerian representatives at the Parliament alleged was never stopped.
The Nigerian representatives on Thursday subsequently issued the threat of pulling their nation from the body should the directive to suspend the exercise is not immediately respected, they alleged that some principal officers in the regional bloc have defiled the directives and embarked on the illegal process of recruiting their relatives and cronies.
The lawmakers, while citing the huge financial commitments that Nigeria makes to the body while relegating funding to its internal security challenges, claimed there was no commensurate return on investment for Nigeria in ECOWAS for all the country has done and is doing for the region.
Leader of the Nigerian delegation and Deputy Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives, who is also the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Ahmed Idris Wase said it has become imperative that Nigeria review its relevance and membership in the bloc.
He said: “If you are in a system, and you are not getting the right results, where you are investing your money, it pays best to walk out of the union.
“In a situation where we are having an infrastructural deficit and witnessing security challenges, why should we continue to invest our money where it will not benefit our country?
“Yes, we will pull out if we don’t get the desired result from this.”
He added that: “We are asking for justice not just for Nigerians alone, but for the entire ECOWAS community. That is what MPs are asking for. There are few countries that want to run ECOWAS like a cabal but we will not tolerate that.”
The Nigerian Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, Musa Nuhu, had also to have written to the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Sidie Mohamed Tunis on the nepotistic employment scandal rocking ECOWAS.
The letter from Nuhu was dated July 20, 2022, and titled, “Formal complaint about unfair treatment and confirmation of staff at the ECOWAS parliament.”
He wrote in the letter that “I have the honour to refer to our verbal discussion on the above subject matter and formally inform you that the attention of the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the ECOWAS Commission has been drawn to a number of complaints by Nigerian staff working at the ECOWAS Parliament. The grievances border around stagnation and overlooking of staff already working in the parliament in favour of outsiders in the ongoing recruitment for divisional heads and professional staff.
“This action directly contravenes the recommendations of the 30th meeting of the ECOWAS Administrative and Finance Committee as well as the position of the Council of Ministers, which directed that internal candidates should be prioritised in filling existing vacancies in ECOWAS institutions, as recommended in the Staff Skills Audit Report.
“The Honourable Speaker may kindly wish to note that the mission has examined the complaints of the staff of the parliament based on existing staff regulations as well as the decisions and guidelines given by the AFC and Council of Ministers for ECOWAS institutions to carry out the recruitment and found that their grievances are genuine.
“Therefore, as you rightly observed during our discussions, recruiting individuals outside the system to place them above the existing staff would only lead to discontent, demoralisation and continued stagnation of the staff. This will inevitably affect the overall performance of the Parliament.”
The controversy, it was learnt came on the heels of the implementation of the provision of the staff regulation of the Commission. It is understood that each institution in ECOWAS gets permission (since there is a freeze on recruitment) to employ from the AFC/ Council of Ministers. Thus, Parliament needs to show that the permission was given.
The system, which allows that internal candidates are first considered for positions (internal advertisement of positions with the institutions of ECOWAS) before looking externally for candidates where internal candidates have not measured up to requirements, has been jettisoned because it allows the powers that hold sway to bring in their relatives to occupy those positions.
A source told journalists that those recruitment exercises are never fair because before they are even conducted, you will start hearing about preferred candidates already and about instructions to the so-called consultant in charge of bringing out the long list from the entire list of applicants, to ensure that some people are not on that list and also that those preferred candidates make it to the top of those lists.
He said: “I may not know if such protestations existed in the Fourth Assembly, as at today, these protestations are evident before us and we are duty bound to attend to them like we have indicated and in the cause of our engagement we are not restricting ourselves to what has happened today. If you listened to our intent on the floor, we said that for the past ten years, whatever it is that had happened in the past ten years, the one that has to be remedied, the one that requires sanctions, I am sure that at the end of the day, without preempting the resolve of the committee, we will get to that point.”
Wase reiterated that Nigeria has done so much for ECOWAS, explaining that over 60 per cent of ECOWAS funding comes from Nigeria.
He said: “We have staffers who are of Nigerian origin that may have done better or progressed rapidly in their career if they were within the bureaucracy of the Nigerian civil service. Their colleagues and contemporaries in the Nigerian civil service are now directors and even permanent secretaries and those of them in ECOWAS institutions have stagnated for years. They are not promoted because they are engaged as casual staff. We cannot subject these staff to remain at the same level for more than 10 years. ECOWAS employed them as casual staff and kept them as casual staff for that long.
Wase said: “It offends the International Labour Organization (ILO), Convention on Forced Labour. I was an activist and a unionist, before joining politics. We cannot keep an employee for more than six months on a casual basis, it is against international law. But here we have kept them for a number of years, up to nine years, it is inhuman.
“What the Parliament is talking about is transparency, and doing the right thing in the right manner. I heard them saying that the audit report was inconclusive, it then meant that there were issues. Whether inconclusive or not, in Parliament, there is what we call an interim report. So, there was an interim report, and that is what some members were relying upon, it does not mean that because they were unable to conclude, then there was nothing. There was something on the table, and I will refer to that inconclusive report that the Secretary General mentioned as an interim report before the Parliament, which of course should be used, and considered because it raised issues regarding the imbalance in the composition of the staff.”
According to Wase, the Nigerian constitution in Section 14 (4) provides that, the composition of government shall be in a manner that reflects the federal character. “Now, we have people who possibly have one opportunity and they want to bring in their relatives, and their siblings against the larger interest of our community. Common judgment teaches us that when you have nations coming together, we should do the distribution in such a way that justice and fairness takes the centre stage”
He said that if Nigeria had not asked for 60 per cent benefit in ECOWAS before now, it must have been a mistake “because our dividend should be equivalent to our contribution and investment. And if that is not done and the little that we have in the system is being humiliated, we will not take it.
“From the National Assembly of Nigeria, we are also going to probe our Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Finance Minister who is giving the money and the Commissioner who is representing us at the Commission. What are they doing there, are they part of this nonsense going on, possibly because they have one interest to protect or the other? We will not allow that to happen. We will expose everybody from the Nigerian Parliament and sanctions will follow. We will sanction anybody found wanting in the process,” he added
Last month, at the 2022 First Ordinary Session of the Parliament, the lawmakers passed a resolution to suspend the recruitment exercise after Nigerian representatives at the parliament alleged discrimination and lopsidedness in the recruitment of workers at the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja.
The motion to suspend the recruitment and promotion in the ECOWAS Parliament was moved by Hon. Awajim Abiante, a Nigerian lawmaker at the ECOWAS Parliament.
The motion was seconded by Sen. Abiodun Olujimi, a Nigerian Lawmaker at the Parliament, supported by Hon. Yousoufa Bida and concurrently agreed by the house.
Abiante, who represents the Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro federal constituency in the House of Representatives said “The Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament is duty bound to respect the resolutions of Parliament.
“If he does not respect the resolution of Parliament, I wonder which Parliament he is heading.
“So, it is left for him to answer where he stands.
“You know, probably some of us are not well experienced, relative to Parliamentary requirements and procedures.
“Therefore, if one is not experienced, we could expect this kind of action. But the Speaker is duty bound to obey the resolution of Parliament.”
“He is first amongst equals, but we are all members of Parliament, by certain requirements, somebody has to lead.
“So, if he is the Speaker today, it does not make him senior or superior to any Member of Parliament.
“And who is he speaking for? He is speaking for the entirety of all of us and if we have come and raised issues, and resolutions taken, saying stop this, he is duty bound to obey.
“So, whatever they had done, we the parliamentarians see it as an effort in complete futility.”
When contacted, the Secretary General of the Parliament John Azumah from Ghana said he was unaware of any audit report that talked about employment and promotion. “I don’t know where they got that information from that they were talking, but you know that on the floor of the Parliament, you cannot stop them.”
“For me, I don’t have any information about this, but let me tell you this, the First Deputy Speaker would have done himself good if he had called me to explain what is happening in ECOWAS to him. I don’t know where they got that information from. There is no audit report like that. It is true that ECOWAS did a skill audit some time ago, but it was inconclusive. The skill audit that was done for the whole ECOWAS institution was inconclusive.
“So, if you went and were extracting information and you got something from staff, you are looking for your interest, sometimes they will give you half information, because of their interest. They would not give you the full information, then you just pick it as an MP and you start talking.
“The staff will tell you that this is happening at the Commission, this is happening at the court and this is happening at the Parliament, it is not true, just because of their interest. For me, if you have that, you have to rely on some credible officers to validate the veracity or otherwise of the information before you come to the floor. When they were talking, I was just laughing in my heart, I am telling you the truth because they were just ridiculing themselves,” he added.
National News
Nigeria, UNESCO Launch World’s First Media and Information Literacy Institute in Abuja
Nigeria, UNESCO Launch World’s First Media and Information Literacy Institute in Abuja
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria has taken a significant step onto the global stage with the launch of the world’s first International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI), a landmark initiative developed in partnership with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
The institute was officially unveiled on Wednesday in Abuja by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, positioning Nigeria at the forefront of global efforts to strengthen media literacy, combat misinformation, and promote critical thinking in an increasingly complex digital age.
The establishment of IMILI marks a historic milestone not just for Nigeria, but for Africa and the international community, as it becomes the first UNESCO Category 2 Institute globally dedicated solely to Media and Information Literacy (MIL).
Speaking at the launch, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information, Mariya Gabriel, described the institute as a timely and transformative response to one of the defining challenges of the modern era — ensuring that access to information translates into informed, responsible, and empowered societies.
“In a world where the volume of information continues to grow exponentially, the ability to distinguish between reliable and misleading content has become essential,” she said.
IMILI is expected to serve as a global hub for research, innovation, and capacity development in media literacy. It will provide training for educators, policymakers, media professionals, and young people, equipping them with tools to critically engage with information, counter misinformation, and actively participate in democratic processes.
The institute will also support curriculum development, foster international collaboration, and connect Nigeria to a global network of expertise, reinforcing Media and Information Literacy as a universal public good.
UNESCO commended the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his vision and commitment in bringing the initiative to fruition. It also acknowledged the pivotal role played by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, whose strategic leadership was described as instrumental in advancing the media literacy agenda in Nigeria.
The organisation further recognised contributions from key stakeholders, including the Nigerian National Commission for UNESCO, the UNESCO Abuja Office, and Nigeria’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, whose collaborative efforts ensured the successful establishment of the institute.
By hosting IMILI, Nigeria is sending a strong signal that Africa is not only responding to the challenges of the digital age but is actively shaping global solutions. With its vibrant media landscape, youthful population, and expanding digital ecosystem, the country is seen as uniquely positioned to lead this transformative agenda.
Beyond its institutional significance, the launch of IMILI represents a broader commitment to empowering citizens — not just to access information, but to understand, question, and use it responsibly.
As the institute begins operations, it is expected to serve as a catalyst for strengthening trust, promoting informed decision-making, and advancing democratic values across Nigeria, Africa, and the wider world.
Nigeria, UNESCO Launch World’s First Media and Information Literacy Institute in Abuja
National News
China Hands Over Landmark ECOWAS Headquarters in Abuja, as Leaders Call for Stronger West African Unity
China Hands Over Landmark ECOWAS Headquarters in Abuja, as Leaders Call for Stronger West African Unity
By: Michael Mike
The Government of China on Tuesday officially handed over the newly constructed headquarters complex of the Economic Community of West African States in Abuja, in a ceremony marked by strong appeals for unity, deeper integration, and renewed commitment to regional cooperation across West Africa.
The event brought together senior government officials, diplomats, and regional leaders, with speakers consistently framing the project as more than infrastructure—describing it as a strategic symbol of partnership, vision, and collective ambition for the sub-region.
President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, described the occasion as a historic milestone, noting that it coincides with the bloc’s 50th anniversary.
“Today marks an important day for ECOWAS and we should all be glad to be witnesses to this momentous occasion marking the official handover of the New ECOWAS Headquarters Complex to the Commission,” he said, adding that the development comes at an opportune time in the organisation’s integration journey.
Touray clarified that the ceremony represents the completion and handover of the building, while the formal inauguration will take place later in the year. The commissioning is expected to be led by Sierra Leone’s President, Julius Maada Bio, in his capacity as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority, alongside Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and other heads of state.
Reflecting on the project’s origins, he recalled that the groundbreaking took place in October 2023 with funding support from China amounting to approximately $56.57 million.
“As you may recall, back in October 2023, we convened here for the groundbreaking ceremony of this complex… Today, two years after that initiation, we are gathered for the handover ceremony of this remarkable building,” he said.
Touray commended the speed and quality of delivery, noting: “Considering the time usually taken to complete infrastructure projects of this magnitude and complexity, the completion of this ECOWAS Headquarters Complex within two years is highly commendable and we should all applaud our Chinese brothers and sisters.”
He also extended appreciation to Chinese President Xi Jinping, represented by Ambassador Yu Dunhai, for what he described as a generous contribution to regional development, while acknowledging China’s broader support for ECOWAS peace and security operations, including assistance to the ECOWAS Standby Force.
Touray further thanked Nigerian authorities, including the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, for their support in facilitating the successful execution of the project.
Chinese Ambassador Yu Dunhai, in his remarks, described the headquarters as a flagship project and a symbol of enduring China-Africa cooperation.
“This headquarter building stands as a milestone—it is China’s flagship aid project for ECOWAS and another headquarters for an international organization,” he said, comparing it to other major Chinese-supported institutional projects on the continent.
Affectionately called the “Eye of West Africa,” the ambassador said the structure was completed after “more than 1,200 days and nights of meticulous craftsmanship,” blending Chinese engineering expertise with West African cultural identity.
“The building harmonizes the excellence of Chinese architectural technique with the unique culture of West Africa,” he said, adding that it will strengthen ECOWAS’ operational capacity and serve as a platform for regional development.
Yu also situated the project within broader diplomatic context, noting that this year marks 70 years of China-Africa relations. He said China continues to support African modernization through initiatives such as the “Ten Partnership Actions,” expanded South-South cooperation frameworks, and zero-tariff access for African exports.
“We remain committed to a demand-driven approach that respects African autonomy and sovereignty, translating our support into tangible actions for Africa’s revitalization,” he said.
He reaffirmed China’s support for ECOWAS and praised its role in regional peace and integration, while also acknowledging Nigeria’s leadership in the partnership.
For Nigeria, the host nation, the project carries deep symbolic weight.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, said the occasion represented far more than a physical handover.
“Today is not just about the handover of a building. Today marks the handover of a vision. A vision of partnership. A vision of regional solidarity. A vision of a West Africa that is prepared to build the institutions that will carry its future,” he said.
Wike described the headquarters as “more than concrete, steel, and glass,” calling it “a statement that cooperation still matters” and proof that diplomacy can still deliver tangible results.
He emphasized Abuja’s status as a diplomatic hub, noting: “Abuja is not only the seat of government; Abuja is the diplomatic capital of this nation, a meeting point of nations.”
He added: “Great institutions deserve worthy homes,” describing ECOWAS as a key expression of regional identity and hope.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, also framed the handover as a historic and symbolic moment.
“It is with profound honour and a deep sense of history that I stand before you today,” she said, describing the event as more than the commissioning of a building, but “the consolidation of a vision, a reaffirmation of unity, and a renewed commitment to peace and sustainable development.”
She highlighted ECOWAS’ role since 1975 in conflict prevention, peacekeeping, economic integration, and governance, stressing that the new headquarters would enhance institutional efficiency and coordination.
“This new Headquarters therefore symbolizes more than administrative convenience. It is a strategic asset that will enhance institutional effectiveness… and reinforce the capacity of the Commission to respond to emerging regional and global challenges,” she said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu praised President Tinubu’s leadership in advancing regional integration and commended China for what she called a “remarkable gesture of goodwill,” adding that the project reflects “mutual respect, shared prosperity, and South-South cooperation.”
She also issued a strong call to member states:
“At a time when our region is confronted with complex challenges… our unity is not optional, it is imperative. We must continue to act in concert, speak with one voice.”
Across all speeches, a consistent message emerged: while the new headquarters represents a major infrastructural achievement, its true value will depend on the political unity and collective resolve of West African states.
As the ceremony concluded, leaders underscored that the building is not an end in itself, but a platform for the next phase of regional integration—one defined not by construction, but by cooperation.
China Hands Over Landmark ECOWAS Headquarters in Abuja, as Leaders Call for Stronger West African Unity
NDLEA, Customs Forge Alliance to Tackle Drug Trafficking
By: Michael Mike
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have formalized a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening border security and combating drug trafficking across Nigeria.
The agreement was reached during a high-level meeting at the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja on Monday, where a joint communiqué was signed by NDLEA Chairman, Buba Marwa, and the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
Both agencies acknowledged the growing sophistication of transnational organized crime, stressing that a coordinated institutional response is essential to effectively disrupt illicit drug networks.
Under the new framework, NDLEA and Customs will enhance intelligence sharing through a secure and structured platform designed to enable early detection and prevention of criminal activities. The collaboration will also see the deployment of joint task forces at key operational points, including seaports, airports, and land borders.
The agreement further seeks to eliminate operational overlaps and reduce inter-agency friction by clearly defining roles and respecting each agency’s legal mandate. A Standing Inter-Agency Committee will also be established to promptly address disputes and ensure smooth coordination.
Speaking on the development, both Marwa and Adeniyi emphasized that the partnership represents a critical step toward strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture while maintaining the efficiency of legitimate trade operations.
They reiterated their commitment to professionalism, mutual respect, and national interest, noting that aligning the capabilities of both agencies would create a more effective barrier against the trafficking of illicit substances.
The collaboration is expected to significantly boost enforcement efficiency at Nigeria’s entry and exit points, reinforcing ongoing efforts to curb drug-related crimes and safeguard public safety.
NDLEA, Customs Forge Alliance to Tackle Drug Trafficking
Forum of Special Advisers Backs Engr. Gubio as Zulum’s Anointed Candidate
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Nigeria, UNESCO Launch World’s First Media and Information Literacy Institute in Abuja
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