The Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has applauded the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to all the institutions of the community.
The regional lawmakers also called for the full reintegration of the renegade Sahel countries of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger into the community.
The Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Hadja Ibrahima spoke during the opening of a week-long 2nd 2025 Parliamentary Seminar on “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Parliamentary Efficiency, Ethical Governance and Development in the ECOWAS Region”, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Ibrahima said: “I would like to express our deepest thanks to the dynamic and valiant people of Nigeria, as well as to His Excellency Mr. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for the invaluable support he has consistently provided to the institutions of the Community, particularly the ECOWAS Parliament, in the accomplishment of its mission”
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She said the Parliament would continue to encourage the dialogue initiated with the aggrieved countries to achieve their full reintegration.
Highlighting some of the challenges faced by the West African states, Ibrahima said: “Our community space continues to face multidimensional challenges: insecurity, terrorism, climate disruption, and economic fragility.
“These challenges should encourage us to accelerate the integration process. We cannot ignore the resentment felt by three ECOWAS member states, namely Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. We encourage the dialogue initiated with these countries, formed as an alliance of Sahel states, and we hope to achieve their full reintegration”.
She said as part of the agenda of the parliament during its extraordinary session, members would examine the 2026 Budget, which she explained had been prepared within the framework of medium-term expenditure, ensuring alignment with the strategic objectives.
She harped on the importance of parliamentary budget describing it as a fundamental instrument guaranteeing the body’s independence, effectiveness and credibility.
“Without adequate financial resources, managed efficiently and transparently, our Parliament cannot fully fulfil its monitoring and oversight role. In accordance with the guidelines of the Commission’s 2026-2028 budget circular, our Parliament has prepared its own budget.
“In this regard, I would like to remind you that our community budget is financed by the community levy, which is a 0.5% tax on the CIF value of goods imported from countries outside the ECOWAS region. In this regard, I would like to take this opportunity to strongly encourage all member states to fulfill this obligation in order to ensure the proper functioning of our institutions”.
Speaking on the theme of the parliament’s seminar, Ibrahima, it was selected in response to the recommendation made by the President of the ECOWAS Commission during the first ordinary session held last May in Abuja.
She noted that AI offered immense potential to strengthen the efficiency of parliamentary work, optimise legislative research, improve transparency and facilitate communication with citizens.
But she added: “However, this new power raises significant ethical challenges, including that of disinformation, which erodes democratic debate, undermines public trust, and fuels tensions.
“Described as a ‘new geopolitical weapon’, it is the subject of increased and accelerated global competition. It is up to us, as legislators, to consider how this tool for the service of democracy should be used and how to prevent it from threatening peace and security, and above all, to ensure a fair distribution of its benefits”.
She expressed optimism that the seminar would provide an opportunity for rigorous reflection to properly master the technology and ensure its future.
Ibrahima further said she was happy that Rivers was hosting the second parliamentary seminar and extraordinary session for 2025.
The Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, who was represented by his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, said the theme of the seminar was urgent, but advised that harnessing artificial intelligence for parliamentary efficiency should be domesticated to accommodate traditional governance structures within emerging digital ecosystems.
He said the deliberations of the parliamentarians would influence how they would navigate the delicate balance between embracing AI’s transformative potential and preserving the human-centered values that anchored democratic governance.
“Rivers is honoured to host this groundbreaking dialogue. Our state government pledges continued support for initiatives that position ECOWAS at the vanguard of responsible AI governance in the developing world”, he said.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Usually Tuggar, said Nigeria remained committed to supporting regional efforts aimed at harnessing emerging technologies for inclusive governance.
He said while AI could enhance legislative drafting, improve the quality and timeliness ofoversight functions, and broaden citizen engagement in policymaking users must not only remain vigilant but also proactive in addressing the ethical, security, and socio-economic implications of such technologies, particularly in a region still grappling with issues of digital divide, unemployment, and cyber threats.
He said: “Our National AI Strategy, launched earlier this year, outlines key features such as education, data governance and inclusive innovation, and is designed to create a balanced framework for safeguarding human rights, data privacy and sovereignty, as well as national security”.
The Deputy Senate President and First Deputy Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament, Senator Barau Jubril, said President Tinubu’s commitment to regional integration had continued to strengthen ECOWAS.
He said under Tinubu’s stewardship, Nigeria had remained the cornerstone of stability and progress within the subtehion and a strong advocate for innovation, inclusivity and sustainable development.
Jubril said as legislators entrusted with the sacred duty of representation, AI presented opportunities to enhance efficiency strengthen accountability and promote development.
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, University of Port Harcourt Governing Council, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, called for vigilance while deploying AI and said people must guard against misuse, data sovereignty to ensure AI strengthened democracy instead of undermining it.
The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, who was accompanied by principal officials of the House said members would learn from ECOWAS deliberations.
END
Members of the ECOWAS Parliament and guests at the opening ceremony of the Parliament’s Seminar and Extraordinary Session holding in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
