President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to adopt a united and coordinated response to the growing wave of Afrophobic attacks targeting African migrants and communities in different parts of the world.
A Firm Mandate at the Freetown Summit
Speaking during the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Freetown, Sierra Leone—where he was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima—Tinubu stressed that the safety, dignity, and rights of African citizens must remain a collective priority for the region.
He warned that increasing hostility toward Africans abroad threatens not only individual lives but also the continent’s shared values of unity, solidarity, and regional integration.
The Nigerian leader urged ECOWAS member states to strengthen diplomatic engagement and work together to address discrimination, xenophobia, and violence directed at Africans. He emphasized that no African citizen should face persecution or exclusion because of their nationality or origin.
“Nigeria condemns, in the strongest terms, the recent attacks on its citizens and other Africans. ECOWAS should present a united voice in this condemnation and table the matter before the next session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the African Union.” — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (via VP Kashim Shettima)
Evacuations and Consular Action
Addressing the immediate fallout of recent xenophobic surges, Tinubu revealed that the Nigerian government has already taken direct operational steps. Nigeria has evacuated over 1,490 of its citizens from harm’s way across seven dedicated airlift batches, affirming that the administration remains prepared to engage further on diplomatic and consular protections.
The President reminded host nations of the historical sacrifices made by West African states toward continental liberation, noting that current trends of intolerance run counter to the foundational spirit of African solidarity.
Beyond addressing Afrophobic attacks, Tinubu endorsed the newly developed ECOWAS Compact for the Future of Regional Integration. He highlighted the importance of deepening regional unity as ECOWAS confronts multiple interconnected challenges, including:
- Regional Insecurity & Counter-Terrorism: Reaffirming support for the operationalization of the ECOWAS Standby Force and joint intelligence sharing.
- Democratic Governance: Enforcing zero tolerance for unconstitutional changes of government and upholding the regional Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.
- Economic Integration: Removing non-tariff trade barriers, improving cross-border infrastructure, and advancing digital single market initiatives.
A Broader Agenda for Regional Solidarity
The 69th Ordinary Session provided a critical venue for West African heads of state to address regional political shifts, including the election of Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye as the new ECOWAS Chairman.
Diplomatic analysts note that Tinubu’s intervention reflects a growing recognition that protecting African citizens abroad requires a firm, unified continental voice capable of engaging international partners and advocating for stronger safeguards against discrimination.
Tinubu concluded by reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to working alongside fellow ECOWAS members to advance economic prosperity, defend the fundamental rights of African citizens, and strengthen regional solidarity against emerging global shocks.
