President Julius Maada Bio and other Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have convened in Abuja for the 63rd Ordinary Summit.

The summit, which commenced at 1 pm, sees leaders and representatives from 12 member states gathering to discuss regional issues and elect a new chairperson for the coming year.

The summit marks the end of Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu’s tenure as the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, which concludes on July 9, 2024.

Tinubu was unanimously endorsed as chairman at the 62nd Ordinary Session in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, in July 2023.

During his tenure, President Tinubu has confronted significant challenges, notably military coups in several member states. His administration initially imposed sanctions on Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Guinea in response to unconstitutional changes of government. These measures were later lifted as ECOWAS shifted towards more peaceful resolutions.

There are indications that the summit may consider extending President Tinubu’s tenure. An extension would provide him with additional time to focus on reintegrating Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso into the regional bloc, addressing the political instability and challenges these nations have faced in recent times.