President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s two-year tenure as Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State came at a time of great turbulence for both Nigeria and the sub-region. While navigating mounting economic and security challenges at home, Tinubu also oversaw a regional bloc rocked by military coups, political instability, and rising threats of terrorism.

Experts note that under his leadership, ECOWAS struggled to maintain unity, with three member states withdrawing from the bloc amid tensions over democratic governance and sanctions. Despite these setbacks, Tinubu’s administration pushed for stronger regional integration and security coordination, albeit with mixed results.

As Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio takes over, analysts say Tinubu’s legacy will be measured by how ECOWAS recovers its credibility and reasserts its influence across West Africa.