Governor Bala Mohammed Champions Regional Unity at ECOWAS@50 Forum at Oxford
By Abdulwahab Muhammad BauchÃ
On May 9, 2025, Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, joined an esteemed group of African leaders, diplomats, and scholars at the University of Oxford to mark a major milestone — the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Hosted at the prestigious Christ Church College, the event brought together thinkers and policymakers to reflect on the legacy of ECOWAS, discuss its present challenges, and reimagine its future. Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo delivered the keynote address, offering a sobering but insightful perspective on the path the regional bloc has taken since its founding.
In his remarks, President Obasanjo warned that the trust and cooperation that once held ECOWAS together are fading. He pointed to the rise of alternative alliances like the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and a worrying trend of political disunity in the region.
“The trust that once existed among West African leaders is eroding. Without cooperation and committed leadership, the region cannot move forward,” he said.
Governor Bala Mohammed echoed those sentiments, highlighting the erosion of accountability, poor governance, and weak institutions as central threats to regional integration.
“These failures are not abstract; they affect real people every day,” Governor Mohammed noted.
Drawing from his leadership experience in Bauchi State, Governor Mohammed shared examples of reform and development efforts in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic empowerment. He called on ECOWAS member states to deepen cooperation, harness shared resources, and prioritize people-centered governance.
“We must build a culture of leadership rooted in vision, responsibility, and service,” he emphasized.
The event was hosted by Baroness Katherine Jane Willis of Summertown, and featured a diverse audience of students, scholars, diplomats, and political leaders. As a mark of goodwill, Governor Mohammed and former President Obasanjo were presented with academic publications and the Oxford city coat of arms.
During the interactive session, the audience engaged Governor Mohammed on issues of leadership, grassroots development, and governance standards. His responses emphasized that meaningful change begins at the local level, with accountable and transparent leadership.
As ECOWAS turns 50, the forum concluded with a call to action: preserve the community’s founding ideals, but adapt them to today’s political and security realities. The message was clear—regional integration requires not just structures, but visionary and courageous leadership.
Governor Bala Mohammed’s presence and input at the forum underscored his growing influence as a national and regional voice for unity, reform, and development in West Africa.
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