President Bola Tinubu, during his visit to Bissau for the ECOWAS summit, expressed solidarity with the Nigerian contingent and praised their dedication. He assured them of Nigeria’s commitment to supporting peace and democracy in West Africa and beyond. Tinubu also acknowledged the soldiers’ loyalty and emphasized Nigeria’s dependence on their service for a peaceful and progressive country.
Brig. Gen. Al-hassan Grema, the troops’ commander, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for being the first Commander-in-Chief to visit soldiers outside Nigeria. Tinubu’s visit marks his first international engagement within Africa since assuming office.
The summit will address significant sub-regional issues, including security challenges, the financial situation of ECOWAS, and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area. The leaders will also discuss the transition in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea, as well as obstacles to free movement of goods along the Abidjan-Lagos corridor.
President Tinubu is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings and engage in other activities on the sidelines of the summit. Accompanying him are notable officials such as the National Security Adviser, the Acting Governor of the Central Bank, and several Permanent Secretaries from relevant ministries. Former Governors and a Senator also form part of the entourage.