The Nation Newspaper

Tag: ECOWAS

  • FULL LIST: ECOWAS member states after official exit of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso

    FULL LIST: ECOWAS member states after official exit of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso

    The three military-led West African nations—Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso—have formally withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). 

    In a statement on Wednesday, the ECOWAS Commission confirmed: “The withdrawal of Burkina Faso, the Republic of Mali, and the Republic of Niger from ECOWAS has become effective today, 29th January 2025.” 

    Despite their exit, ECOWAS assured that passports and identity cards bearing its logo will remain valid for travel within the region. 

    Here is the full list of the remaining ECOWAS member states: 

    1. Benin

    2. Cabo Verde

    3. Côte d’Ivoire

    4. The Gambia

    5. Ghana

    6. Guinea

    Read Also: As jittery junta leaders exit ECOWAS

    7. Guinea Bissau

    8. Liberia

    9. Nigeria

    10. Senegal

    11. Sierra Leone

    12. Togo

  • ECOWAS Heads of State to determine modalities for engagement with Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger

    ECOWAS Heads of State to determine modalities for engagement with Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger

    The authority of the Head of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States will determine the bloc’s modalities of engagement with Burkina Faso, Mali, and the Republic of Niger.

    The three military-led West African nations have officially withdrawn from ECOWAS.

    “The withdrawal of Burkina Faso, the Republic of Mali and the Republic of Niger from ECOWAS has become effective today, 29th January 2025,” the President of ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray said at a media briefing on Wednesday.

    He said the next step would be the exit negotiations which would involve ECOWAS and the three countries.

    In the meantime, ECOWAS said that passports and identity cards bearing its logo will remain valid for travel within the region for citizens from the three countries.

    He also said trade and economic activities will also proceed under the existing ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, allowing goods and services from the three countries to move freely.

    He explained: “These arrangements will be in place until the full determination of the modalities of our future arrangements to the three countries by the ECOWAS authority of head of state and government.”

    “On January 29, 2025, the three AES states, Burkina Faso, the Republic of Mali and the Republic of Niger, formally ceased to be members of the Economic Community of the West African states.

    “This followed the notification the Commission received from the three countries in January 2024 regarding their position and intention to withdraw from the community.

    “Article 91 of the revised Treaty of ECOWAS provides that when a member country intends to leave the community, they should give a one-year notice, and to give that one year, they have all the permission to withdraw their notification.

    “The notification of the three countries that were communicated in January 2024 were not or have not been withdrawn.

    “As a result, the authority acknowledged during its summit in December, on the 15th of December 2024, that the three countries will cease to be members of ECOWAS from today, the 29th of January 2025.

    “On the 13th of January 2025, I visited all three countries, to communicate the position of the authority with respect to their notification.”

    He said the Commission is prepared to commence the modalities for their exit from the bloc and future engagement.

    “We, as I have said, are putting in place structures that will allow for discussions,” he added.

    He pointed out that engagement with the three countries will commence as soon as they show commitment, saying that two of the countries have already indicated interest in discussing while the Commission is awaiting the response of the third one.

    He said: “Communication from two of the countries indicating their intention to sit and discuss with ECOWAS, and we look forward to those discussions.

    “My office told me just while coming here that another response has come, but we are positive that all three countries will respond.”

    ECOWAS president however stressed that doors are still open for their return.

    In the meantime, he said the citizens from the three countries are still covered by the ECOWAS protocol.

    He said the expected discussions with the three countries would bother on institutional, legal, trade

    Communication from two of the countries indicated their intention to sit and discuss with ECOWAS, and we look forward to those discussions.

    On the consequences of the withdrawal on citizens engaged by ECOWAS, Touray said according to Article 53 of Staff regulations, they cease to work for the Commission.

    He therefore said the staff rules would be followed.

    “Article 53 states that when a state or a country withdraws from the community, citizens from that country will cease to work as staff for the institutions. So it is the staff rules that will be implemented,” he said.

    In the area of security, Touray said: “It is in our collective interest to work together in all areas, including in the area of security. ECOWAS sees the security of every one of us to be closely tied. For that reason, security collaboration will continue at all levels, not only in the ECOWAS States but across the region.”

    He stressed: “ECOWAS has shown the whole world, and the community in particular, the value of being a member of ECOWAS. This is the region, the only region on the continent, where with a single ID card you can move from one end to another end. I’m not saying there are no problems, but legally you can move from one end to another end.

    “You can pick up your passport, hop on a plane, and go anywhere else without having to go through all these visa problems. This is also the region where member states can trade freely among themselves for produce that is qualified under ECOWAS’s trade liberalization scheme. So this is what we must build on for the benefit of our community, and I believe nobody should have a problem with this.”

    Touray also pointed out that the bloc will have to work on peace and security, and we will have to work on governance to ensure its unity.

    “So these are areas that should be important for ECOWAS, and ECOWAS leaders have underlined their commitment to these principles,” he said.

    Read Also: As jittery junta leaders exit ECOWAS

    He also added: “To boost the community’s capacity to address insecurity, especially problems relating to terrorism, one of the goals is to reactivate the stand-by force.

    The standby force is initially, I think, reactivated with 1,650 strong men, but it’s scaled up to 5,000 men.

    “The leaders have also decided that the funding for the stand-by force will come from within the community, and they have instructed their ministers of finance to work on modalities for increasing the mobilisation of internal resources. In addition to that, we have Resolution 2719 of the United Nations, which is a game-changer, and that resolution seeks to fund regional peace and cooperation directly from UN ordinary resources.

    “So together with the commitment of leaders to raise internal resources and the new development at the level of the UN, we believe we are now better positioned to address terrorism in the Sahel Area, and this is why we hope that we can continue to collaborate with our brothers and sisters from the three countries to address this key challenge, not only in the Sahel area but also in the region.”

  • As jittery junta leaders exit ECOWAS

    As jittery junta leaders exit ECOWAS

    Sir: Ahead of the January 29 deadline for their self-imposed exit from ECOWAS, the junta leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, the Alliance of Sahel States, AES, have become jittery, deploying every trick, including disinformation, misinformation and blackmail to deflect blame for the inevitable consequences and uncertainty of their military adventure.

    ECOWAS leaders at their last Abuja summit in December 2024 warned the three countries that having served notice of their withdrawal from the regional bloc in January 2024, the separation will become effective 12 months later, according to the regional bloc’s relevant protocol. This is despite the grace period of six months mentioned in the summit communique. After receiving official correspondence from the ECOWAS Commission on the summit’s decision, the juntas have gone into propaganda overdrive.

    Instead of addressing their domestic existential threats, coupled with criticism of human rights violations and intolerance of dissent, the junta leaders are blaming outsiders for the humanitarian crisis they brought on their people.

    ECOWAS at 50 this year cannot claim to be perfect. One of its major problems is leadership at the national and regional levels. But just as a chain is as strong as its weakest link, an organisation is only as good/effective as its weakest member.

    There is a strong anti-French sentiment in Francophone African countries linked to controversial colonial agreements including defence/military pacts, which the AES leaders are capitalising on for their populist dispositions. The agreements have nothing to do with ECOWAS, so it begs the question that the AES leaders are blaming the organisation for them.

    Read Also: Tinubu to Nigerians: Rivers Niger, Benue symbolise power of unity for strength

    To come clean of accusations of foreign influence/interference, ECOWAS must assert its independence and put its house in order but not succumb to blackmail. The organisation should innovate and reinvent itself to withstand emerging threats from the geopolitical and geostrategic shifts in international relations ecosystem.

    ECOWAS leaders should be pulling together, including reaching an agreement on the term limit for the president/prime minister in member states, to stop the tenure elongation syndrome haemorrhaging the organisation. They should deliver good governance and muster the political will to end political or constitutional coups and other causes/enablers of military coups.

    Ghana’s new President John Mahama has named a Special Envoy to the AES countries. The Ghanaian leader should be encouraged to work within the ECOWAS system to prevent a further weakening of the organisation.

    Also, Nigeria as the “big brother, regional power” and the current ECOWAS chair, should step up to the plate and work with other leaders to champion the rescue and repositioning of ECOWAS.

    A united ECOWAS provides unlimited opportunities for regional cooperation and development. ECOWAS/AES’ separation will unleash potential negative consequences on the population of the AES countries, including massive loss of jobs from the closure of community institutions and humanitarian food reserve facilities. Also, there will be an end to the benefits of regional free trade scheme and the immediate recovery of more than US$273 million at the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) loans and liabilities.

    A sudden exit from the ECOWAS Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering (GIABA), will also make the AES countries vulnerable to the global Finance Action Task-force (FATF) sanctions, plus an end to regional security cooperation, shared intelligence and coordinated joint military operations, which will make the countries easy targets for more deadly attacks by terrorist and armed insurgency groups.

    Addressing the media in Abuja on Monday January 27, the Head of EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Gautier Mignot urged ECOWAS to reconsider its decision on the AES group.

    “It is a decision that we regret because we strongly support West African integration. Splitting does not seem to us a good idea,” said the envoy, who cited the EU’s experience with Brexit, based on negotiation and dialogue.

    The junta leaders should also take a cue from the EU official’s counsel, bearing in mind that they will be held accountable for the consequences of dragging millions of their compatriots into socio-economic catastrophe and political uncertainty.

    ECOWAS is only demanding that they respect regional protocols and honour their countries’ obligations and commitment to democratic principles instead of sticking to endless opportunistic political transition programmes designed for their self-perpetuation in power.

    It is within the rights of AES nations to associate or pursue common goals, but not necessarily by quitting ECOWAS. Organisations such as the Mano River Union; Lake Chad Basin Commission/Authority, the Zone of Prosperity and UEMOA, are all members of ECOWAS.

    •Paul Ejime,paulejime@outlook.com>

  • EU urges ECOWAS to reopen talks with B’Faso, Mali, Niger

    EU urges ECOWAS to reopen talks with B’Faso, Mali, Niger

    The Head of European Delegation to Nigeria and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Ambassador Gautier Mignot, has urged the regional body to seek a new way of managing its relationship with the countries of the Alliance of Sahel States (Alliance des Etats du Sahel) AES-Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.

    Mignot stressed that the EU was not in support of ECOWAS splitting, saying that regionalism is the path to prosperity and stability.

    The envoy, who spoke yesterday at a media chat in Abuja, described the decision by the three countries to pull out of the union as a regrettable one.

    He said: “It is a decision that we regret, because we support very much West African integration. We are  probably the most autonomous model of regional integration in the world, and we think that this is a path to prosperity, to unity, to stability in all regions of the world, and especially in West Africa. So splitting doesn’t seem to us a good idea.”

    Noting that it was not up to the EU to tell ECOWAS how to handle the situation, he however said the EU would readily avail itself by sharing its experience of how it went about it with the exit of the United Kingdom.

    Mignot said: “And of course, as in other issues, if we can get any help, we would be happy to share our experience, our expertise with ECOWAS. Indeed, we had the experience of a former member state which decided to exit the European Union. And how did we manage to have a possible smooth exit? It was through negotiation and dialogue.

    “It was not easy. It took some time, but finally we reached an agreement with the United Kingdom, an agreement on the modalities of the exit and an agreement on our new relationship with them. And now we have constant dialogue on also adjusting this new agreement and trying to see how to make our new relationship more efficient.

    “So, you know, even if you leave regional integration mobilisation, geographically you remain neighbours and you have to find new ways of coexisting and cooperating.

    Read Also: ECOWAS condemns terrorist attack in northern Benin Republic

    “So, we hope very much that ECOWAS and the EU will be able to do that also.”

    On the EU engagement with the three allied countries belonging to the AES, the envoy said: “First, we have to remind ourselves  that the EU has maintained its humanitarian aid in these countries. And we have adapted our development cooperation, focusing on support to the population.

    “Because we are concerned about the security and humanitarian situation in the Sahel, the number of displaced people, refugees, and people in need of assistance, which is reaching unprecedented levels. And there is ongoing work in Brussels towards a renewed approach in the Sahel, for which, of course, dialogue and exchanges with partners in the region.”

    My dream to work in Nigeria came 10 yrs after

    Mignot said it has been his long time ambition to work in Nigeria.

    Mignot, who only last week, submitted his letter of credence to President Bola Tinubu, said he started dreaming of working in Nigeria during his first visit to the country 10 years ago.

    He said: “I came here to Nigeria 10 years ago on a one-week mission to Abuja and Lagos, and I found it to be a fascinating country. I always thought how great it would be to come and work here in this country one day and this dream finally has come true.

    “So, I’m very happy with that. I arrived here in Nigeria at the beginning of September, taking over from Ambassador Samuel Aissopi. I know you knew her very well. She was a very active ambassador. And again, I’m extremely happy to be here in Nigeria, the number one nation in Africa and a key player in the world.

    “I already had the opportunity to discover some parts of the country, apart from the Federal Capital, Lagos of course, but also the city, Calabar, and more recently, Borno and the Adamawa States. And also, I discovered a bit of the Nigerian tribal culture, since the Calabar carnival last year.”

    Speaking on his mission, Mignot said it is to improve EU-Nigeria partnership, to positively impact on the people.

    He stressed that the EU remains a constant and faithful and trusted partner that Nigeria can count on.

    The envoy said his mission is to “bring the EU-Nigeria partnership to a higher level, with one goal: positively impact the Nigerian population.

    “As I told the President, in uncertain times and in a fast-evolving time, you need a constant and faithful partner on whom you know you can count: the EU is one for Nigeria. In turn we see Nigeria as a key partner and a major player in Africa and the world.

    He also spoke about new initiatives that the EU wants to exploit in Nigeria, which include a better structured economic relation and dialogue to address and remove the issues that hamper more investment and trade.

    He stressed that currently there is no agreement or dialogue framework between EU and Nigeria.

    Mignot, however, said the EU, through the Global Gateway Investment agenda, will be focusing more on creating jobs and opportunities, especially for young people in Nigeria, building on Nigeria’s great sense of entrepreneurship.

    He said sectors like green economy, digital, agri-food and health are being targeted, noting that “this is actually already an ongoing work.”

    He also added that special attention would be paid to the North of the country where there are specific needs.

    Mignot said there would also be attention on Science, technology and investment agreements to foster projects and opportunities in higher education and research.

    He also said efforts would be deployed to further strengthen engagement in peace and security, responding better to Nigeria’s needs and expectations.

    The issue of migration would also be on the table, with EU partnership covering all aspects: smuggling and trafficking of human beings, re-admission and re-integration of migrants not admitted to remain in EU or stranded in the way, legal pathways responding to both parties’ interests.

    “Closer consultation on global and regional issues (EU already main supporter of ECOWAS) on all issues, we want to partner more closely with the Nigerian authorities, at federal and local levels, listen to their expectations, strategies and needs, but also listen to civil society and the young,” he added.

  • EU urges ECOWAS to seek new way to engage Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger

    EU urges ECOWAS to seek new way to engage Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger

    The Head of European Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Gautier Mignot has urged the regional body to seek a new way of managing its relationship with the countries of the Alliance of Sahel States (Alliance des Etats du Sahel) AES-Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.

    Mignot stressed that the EU was not in support of ECOWAS splitting, saying that regionalism is the path to prosperity and stability.

    The envoy spoke on Monday during a media chat in Abuja.

    He described the decision by the three countries as a regrettable one.

    He said: “It is a decision that we regret, because we support very much, West African integration. We are probably the most autonomous model of regional integration in the world, and we think that this is a path to prosperity, unity, to stability in all regions of the world, especially in West Africa. So splitting doesn’t seem to us a good idea.”

    While noting that it was not up to the EU to tell ECOWAS how to handle the situation, he however said the EU would readily avail itself by sharing its experience of how it went about it with the exit of the United Kingdom.

    He said: “And of course, as in other issues, if we can get any help, we would be happy to share our experience, our expertise with ECOWAS. Indeed, we had the experience of a former member state that decided to exit the European Union. And how did we manage to have a possible smooth exit? It was through negotiation and dialogue.

    Read Also: ECOWAS condemns terrorist attack in northern Benin Republic

    “It was not easy. It took some time, but finally, we reached an agreement with the United Kingdom, an agreement on the modalities of the exit, and an agreement on our new relationship with them. And now we have a constant dialogue on also adjusting this new agreement and trying to see how to make our new relationship more efficient.

    “So, you know, even if you leave regional integration mobilization, geographically you remain neighbours and you have to find new ways of coexisting and cooperating.

    “So we hope very much that ECOWAS and the European Union will be able to do that also.”

    On the EU engagement with the three allied countries belonging to the AES, the envoy said: “First, we have to remind that the EU has maintained its humanitarian aid in these countries. And we have adapted our development cooperation, focusing on support to the population.

    “Because we are concerned about the security and humanitarian situation in the Sahel, the number of displaced people, refugees, and people in need of assistance, which is reaching unprecedented levels. And there is ongoing work in Brussels towards a renewed approach in the Sahel, for which, of course, dialogue and exchanges with partners in the region.”

  • Organisers jack up prize money  for ECOWAS Marathon

    Organisers jack up prize money  for ECOWAS Marathon

    In commemoration  of  the 50th anniversary of  the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) , organisers  have increased the  prize money  for the forthcoming  ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon  with  further announcement  that  the race would feature elite runners from all ECOWAS countries.

    Chairman of the Main Organizing Committee (MOC) of the race, Amb. Francis Chuks Njoaguani, said

    there will also be other goodies for participants.

    Njoaguani disclosed that the rationale behind the 5 km Fun Run was to encourage participants and ECOWAS citizens in general  to exercise and make running a way of life because of its immense health benefits.

    Njoaguani, who doubles as the director of the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre based in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, said: ” The 5 km Fun Run is special to us because we initiated it as part of the 21 km race so that more of our people will embrace the culture of walking, jogging, exercise, and running and make it part of their daily routine.

     “That is why we have decided to increase the prize money for the 5km race from $750 to $1000 (about N1.7 million) to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of ECOWAS and encourage our people to make running a way of life. We are not increasing the prize money for just the winner but all the top finishers as specified in the participants’ guide, we are also inviting elite runners from all ECOWAS countries”.

    The ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon will hold  on March 1, 2025, in Abuja, Nigeria.

    Read Also: Lookman shines like neon light in the dark

    The event, which features 21km and 5km categories, is expected to attract runners and fitness enthusiasts across the continent and beyond.

    The 5km Race will begin at Eagle Square and end at the ECOWAS Commission in Asokoro Abuja, while the 21km (half-marathon) will start at the ECOWAS Commission and return to finish at the same location.

    Meanwhile, Race Director Gabriel Okon , has disclosed that the race was open to all categories of runners.

     “The event is for elites and fun runners and other classes of fitness enthusiasts from across the continent, all vying for their share of over $71,000 in prize money. The marathon is not only a celebration of athleticism but also a showcase of unity and the vibrant spirit of the region.”

  • ECOWAS approves increased compensation for passengers affected by flight cancellation

    ECOWAS approves increased compensation for passengers affected by flight cancellation

    The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has approved a higher compensation rate for passengers whose flights are cancelled or delayed across member states.

    The approval is contained in the final communique of the ECOWAS 66th Ordinary Summit.

    Read Also: Akpabio, Abbass pledge support for Mr. President

    According to the statement, the bloc, chaired by President Bola Tinubu, discussed the severe negative impact of high air transport costs on the growth of the region’s aviation industry as well as ECOWAS’s larger economic and regional integration agendas.

    The communique said to lower the severe impact of the cost of air transport services in the community, the ECOWAS authority adopted the supplementary Act to the regional common policy on aviation charges, taxes, and fees.

  • ECOWAS defends Nigeria against Niger’s terrorism allegation

    ECOWAS defends Nigeria against Niger’s terrorism allegation

    The Economic of West African States (ECOWAS) has described terrorism allegations against Nigeria and other member states by the Niger Republic as “unfounded”, saying it is solidly behind its members.

    Niger Republic had accused Nigeria and other ECOWAS members of colluding with France to destabilise the country.

    However, the federal government on Thursday denied Niger Republic’s allegation.

    The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the rebuttal in a statement, amid claims by Niger Republic’s military leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, that Nigeria was working with France against his country.

    “These claims exist solely in the realm of imagination. Nigeria has never engaged in any alliance, overt or covert, with France—or any other country—to destabilize Niger Republic,” the statement read.

    Read Also: Nigeria runners prioritise participation in credible ECOWAS marathon

     Also on Thursday, ECOWAS in a statement described the allegations as “unfounded”.

    “The Commission of the Economic and West African Staes (ECOWAS) expresses deep concern over allegations being made against Nigeria and other ECOWAS member states.

    “The Commission stands firmly by Nigeria and ECOWAS member states against allegations that they are sponsoring terrorism.

    “For years, Nigeria has supported peace and security of several countries not only in the West African subregion but also on the African continent.

    “The recent successes recorded by the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), which Nigeria leads, demonstrate the country’s commitment to peace and security across the region.

    “ECOWAS therefore, refutes any suggestion that such a generous and magnanimous country would become a state-sponsor of terrorism,” the statement read in part.

    ECOWAS then called on all states in the region to promote dialogue and stability and refrain from making accusations that are not supported by any evidence.

  • Nigeria runners prioritise participation in credible ECOWAS marathon

    Nigeria runners prioritise participation in credible ECOWAS marathon

    Nigeria elite marathon runners mostly from the  Jos-based High Altitude Athletics Club have revealed their priorities  for the Year 2025 with eyes on winning the top ten positions at the forthcoming  ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon.

    Their decision is based on the lucrativeness of the race, especially the 21 km and the organizers’ prompt payment of prize money.

    Steve Nuhu, the director of High Altitude Athletics Club and manager of most of the elite marathoners in Nigeria,  told correspondents that they have all agreed to prioritize the ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon.

    Said Nuhu:  “We all left Pankshin where we normally train a few days ago to spend Christmas and New Year with our families, by the special grace we will regroup the first week of the new year, and our focus for the new year is the ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon.

     “We arrive at this conclusion because we have a very good chance of winning about eight of the top ten positions in the ECOWAS race because it is a half marathon. For example, if our club produce the winners of the men’s and women’s races that is $10,000.00 each which comes to about N40 million in today’s exchange rate we can’t get that kind of money elsewhere.

     “Even if we place fourth or fifth in the ECOWAS Marathon, it is more rewarding financially than what we will get when we win a full marathon elsewhere, we are grateful to ECOWAS because their race is empowering us and lifting us out of poverty.’’

    Read Also: Napoli boss blamed over Osimhen’s transfer  fiasco

    Nuhu also praised the organizer for the prompt payment of prize money and the general organization of the race.

     “We also thank the management of ECOWAS Marathon for paying our prize money immediately after the race,” he said.

    “We have never experienced a delay in the payment of prize money, it is always a great experience and exciting moment for our runners and we look forward to the 2025 edition with innate joy.”

    The 2025 ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon is slated for March 1, 2025. There are two races, the 21 km and the 5 km.

    The 21 km will start and finish at the ECOWAS Commission, Asokoro and the 5km race will start at the Eagles Square and also finish at the ECOWAS Commission.

  • ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon Set for March 1

    ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon Set for March 1

    The Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025.

    As part of activities to commemorate this significant milestone, the Commission is organising the 2025 ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon, which will be held on March 1, 2025, in Abuja, Nigeria.

    The event, which features 21km and 5km categories, is expected to attract runners and fitness enthusiasts across the continent and beyond.

    In a statement signed by the Director of Communications & Media of the ECOWAS Marathon Olukayode Thomas, the 5km Race will begin at Eagle Square and end at the ECOWAS Commission in Asokoro Abuja, while the 21km half-marathon will start at the ECOWAS Commission and finish at the Commission. 

    Race Director Gabriel Okon revealed that the race is open to all categories of runners.

    “The event is for elites and fun runners and other classes of fitness enthusiasts from across the continent, all vying for their share of over $71,000 in prize money”. 

    Read Also: NFF: Why we have not paid Super Eagles

    “The marathon is not only a celebration of athleticism but also a showcase of unity and the vibrant spirit of the region.”

    Okon expressed his enthusiasm for the event, describing it as an unparalleled opportunity to bring people together through sport. 

     “The ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon is more than a race; it’s a symbol of unity, empowerment and engagement of our youths and a celebration of healthy living. We are thrilled to welcome runners from across Africa and beyond to join this extraordinary event.”

    Okon also revealed that the prize money for the 5km race has been increased, with the top ten finishers receiving cash prizes.

    Registered runners will receive official race certificates, finisher medals, running vests, number bibs, participant guides, and other surprise gifts.

    To register online, interested participants are to visit www.ecowasabujamarathon.org while forms can also be obtained from the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and Athletics Associations offices nationwide or Sports Council offices in the area councils across the Federal Capital Territory.

    The ECOWAS race has grown to become one of the most significant sporting events in the region, positioning Abuja as a hub for international athletics.

    With its theme of fostering unity through sports, the event promises to be an unforgettable experience.