Former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo has issued a stark warning over the state of the regional bloc Economic Community of West African States, saying decades of progress have been undone by recent political missteps.
Speaking on the growing tensions within West Africa, Obasanjo lamented that an institution built over nearly 50 years is now facing unprecedented strain. “Look at the way we’ve handled ECOWAS. Something that took us 50 years to build, overnight we mishandled and we have virtually destroyed it,” he said.
The former leader also underscored the deep social and cultural ties between Nigeria and Niger, warning that political decisions risk overlooking longstanding human connections. According to him, at least 30 percent of people in Niger share blood relations with Nigerians, highlighting the intertwined nature of communities across borders.
His remarks come amid ongoing regional tensions and shifting alliances that have raised concerns about the future cohesion and effectiveness of ECOWAS, once seen as a cornerstone of political and economic cooperation in West Africa.
