The All Progressives Congress (APC) has lauded Nigeria’s growing influence within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), saying the country is providing firm and strategic leadership under President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement on Thursday, the party’s Lagos spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, said Nigeria has assumed a stabilising role at a time the sub-region is grappling with political upheavals, security threats, and economic uncertainty. He noted that Mr Tinubu’s leadership of ECOWAS has strengthened diplomatic engagement and bolstered regional efforts to safeguard democracy.
According to him, Nigeria remains unwavering in its stance against unconstitutional changes of government, adding that the president’s interventions have reopened vital dialogue channels in countries experiencing political tension.
Mr Oladejo also highlighted Nigeria’s continued leadership in regional security cooperation, citing progress in counterterrorism initiatives, intelligence sharing, and joint military operations targeting terrorism, piracy, and cross-border crime. He commended the reinforcement of the ECOWAS Standby Force under Mr Tinubu, noting that Nigeria is also mobilising international support to address rising security threats in the Sahel.
He said Nigeria’s foreign policy under the current administration is now driven by strategic diplomacy, regional responsibility, and economic development. The president, he added, is pushing for deeper economic integration, enhanced energy cooperation, and new trade partnerships across West Africa.
According to the APC spokesperson, these efforts reflect the Renewed Hope Agenda’s commitment to building a stronger and more secure region. He urged Nigerians to remain confident in the country’s expanding diplomatic influence.
Mr Oladejo further noted that Nigeria is shaping key regional outcomes through consistent engagement. His remarks follow the recent Senate approval for the deployment of Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin after a failed coup attempt in the neighbouring country. President Tinubu said the decision was taken after consultations with the National Defence Council and in response to Benin’s request for military assistance in a peace enforcement mission.