Senator Jibrin Barau, First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, has said Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger will eventually return to the ECOWAS, maintaining that the door remains open for their return....Read Full Article >>➤
Speaking at the 1st Extraordinary Session of ECOWAS for 2025 in Lagos, Barau said: “They are our brothers, and I can assure you that one day they will be back.”
He acknowledged that ECOWAS respects each nation’s sovereignty but urged them to uphold international democratic standards. “We are willing to work with them. They should democratise and try to sit at the table to see how democracy can be strengthened,” he said.
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Barau explained that ECOWAS does not interfere in the internal affairs of member states but expects all nations to adhere to internationally recognised democratic principles.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian deputy senate president reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to a single currency and regional integration despite challenges.
While emphasising that the push for a unified economy remains a priority, Barau stressed that the people of West Africa have always been one despite colonial-era borders.
“The intention of ECOWAS is to unify so that we can be one entity. We’ve always been one people before colonial demarcations. Whether in Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, or Côte d’Ivoire, we share cultural and linguistic ties,” he said.
Barau highlighted the numerous infrastructure projects already in place to support regional economic integration, including cross-border road networks, healthcare, and aviation links.
He likened the single currency initiative to Europe’s economic model, expressing confidence in its eventual realisation.
“We are working on ensuring that we have a single currency just like in Europe. One currency, one people, one aspiration, one destiny,” he added.
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