Nigeria reasserts ECOWAS leadership as Shettima attends Guinea’s Presidential inauguration

By : Terhemba Daka

Date: 17 January 2026 10:05pm WAT

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Nigeria has reaffirmed its leadership role within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Tinubu, witnessed the swearing-in and inauguration of Mamady Doumbouya as President of Guinea.

The inauguration followed President Doumbouya’s victory in the December 2025 general elections, a landmark democratic transition that formally ended four years of military rule in the country.

Vice President Shettima’s presence at the ceremony underscored Nigeria’s continued commitment to regional unity and democratic consolidation, while reinforcing Abuja’s leadership within ECOWAS and its advocacy for constitutional governance across West Africa.

Under Guinea’s new constitution, approved by a national referendum in September 2025, President Doumbouya will serve a single seven-year term, with the tenure extended from five years and renewable only once.

The ceremony, held at the General Lansana Conté Stadium in Conakry, drew a large turnout and was attended by several African leaders, particularly from the West African sub-region.

Countries represented included Ghana, Senegal, The Gambia, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda and South Africa.

Other dignitaries in attendance included the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, as well as the Presidents of Rwanda, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania, among other senior officials.

In his inaugural address, President Doumbouya pledged to uphold the constitution and the principles of democracy, transparency and inclusive governance, assuring citizens that peace and national cohesion would remain paramount under his administration.

Aligned with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, Nigeria continues to position itself as a stabilising force in the region, promoting democratic governance as a foundation for peace, economic integration and shared prosperity.

Vice President Shettima’s visit, presidency officials say, formed part of broader efforts to deepen bilateral ties and expand the economic corridor between Nigeria and Guinea, leveraging regional cooperation for mutual growth.

In other news, President Bola Tinubu returned to Nigeria on Saturday after leading the country’s delegation to the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026 (ADSW 2026) in the United Arab Emirates.

A statement issued by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, explained that the President was accompanied by senior ministers and top government officials to the high-level global forum, which convenes world leaders, policymakers, investors, and development partners to advance sustainable development, climate action, and a clean energy transition.

On the sidelines of the summit, Nigeria achieved a major diplomatic and economic milestone by signing a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab Emirates.

The agreement is designed to significantly deepen economic cooperation between both countries, boost bilateral trade and investment flows, enhance technology transfer and expand collaboration across strategic sectors.

Key areas covered by the CEPA include energy and renewable power, infrastructure development, agriculture, mining, manufacturing and emerging green industries, aligning with Nigeria’s drive to diversify its economy and attract long-term foreign direct investment.

Addressing participants at the summit, President Tinubu announced that a joint Nigeria-UAE INVESTOPIA would be hosted in Lagos in February.

The investment-focused initiative, he said, is aimed at positioning Nigeria as a preferred destination for global capital, innovation and strategic partnerships.

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