By MARK LONGYEN

Nigeria, on Tuesday, called for the upholding of fairness and inclusivity in the distribution of the statutory positions within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made the appeal while declaring open an Ad hoc Ministerial Meeting on the Rotation of Statutory Appointees of ECOWAS Institutions.

She noted that the meeting was a reaffirmation of member states’ shared commitment to upholding the principles of equity, regional balance, and institutional integrity within the governance framework of ECOWAS.

“I want to assure you that, as part of our enduring commitment to the ideals of regional integration and solidarity, Nigeria will continue to assume its traditional leadership role by constructively engaging with all member states to build consensus and ensure that our collective decisions reflect both equity and a shared vision for the future of our Community,” she said.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the task before the committee was crucial, and at the heart of ECOWAS’ regional integration agenda, hence members were carefully constituted to undertake the assignment for the sub-region.

According to her, it is essential to duly recognize and accommodate the aspirations of member states, who have smaller populations or limited resources, but who demonstrate unflinching commitment to ECOWAS.

The minister cautioned that membership of the Ad-hoc Committee should not be construed as a pathway to positions of leadership within the ECOWAS institutions.

Rather, she said, its members’ engagement should be guided by the principles of regional solidarity, prioritizing the collective interest of the sub-region above national aspirations.

She explained that, in doing so, they would contribute to fostering deeper unity, mutual trust, and a shared sense of purpose among ECOWAS citizens.

The minister stressed that the task of reviewing and considering proposals for the allocation of statutory positions within ECOWAS institutions for the term 2026 to 2030 was given to them based on trust.

“This task takes on particular urgency as the current statutory appointees, serving non-renewable four-year terms, are set to complete their tenures between July and October, 2026.

“Our mandate, therefore, is to carefully review the Commission’s proposals and to submit our report to the Council of Ministers during the Statutory Meetings in December 2025, for its final consideration and subsequent recommendation to the Authority.

“Let us remain focused on ensuring that the outcomes of our engagements are both meaningful and impactful for the future of our region,” she added.

Dr. Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, in a remark, recalled that in June during the Ministerial Council’s 94th Ordinary Session, he notified the Council that the current management of ECOWAS Institutions’ tenure would elapse by July 14, 2026.

He explained that this was in compliance with the 2012 Supplementary Act on the Modalities for the Allocation of Statutory Positions in ECOWAS Institutions, and Article 14, Paragraph 3 of the Supplementary Act.

Touray added that the Commission would present the memo, which would set out the framework for the allocation of the statutory positions to the committee for final consideration.

“The memo was prepared taking into account the provisions of the 2012 Supplementary Act and historical data on the allocations of the statutory positions of the institutions since 1975.

“It is the expectation that the Ad-hoc Committee will review this proposal with the broader interest of the Community at heart.

“The Commission stands ready to provide any services that would ease the work of the Committee,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the positions to be filled are those of ECOWAS President, Vice-President, Commissioners, and judges of the Community Court of Justice.

Others include the Auditor-General, the Directors-General of the Intergovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) and the West African Health Organization (WAHO).

The rotation of ECOWAS statutory appointees follows the principle of rotating positions among member countries for equitable representation in the organization’s executive bodies, as stipulated in its regulations, with a non-renewable four-year term.

The six-member Ad-hoc Committee, which comprises of Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo, will review the proposed appointments allocation and submit it to the Ministerial Council for consideration.

The final document will be forwarded to the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government for final decision. (NAN)

• PHOTO, R-L: Nigeria’s Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, at the Ad-hoc Ministerial Meeting on the Rotation of Statutory Appointees of ECOWAS Institutions on Tuesday in Abuja (NAN Photo)