Nigeria and China have reinforced their strategic partnership with the official handover of the new headquarters of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Abuja, a landmark project expected to strengthen regional integration and institutional capacity across West Africa.
The China-funded facility, described as the “Eye of West Africa,” was presented during a high-level ceremony attended by senior government officials, diplomats and regional stakeholders.
Speaking at the event, Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Yu Dunhai, described the project as a flagship symbol of China-Africa cooperation and shared development.
“This headquarters stands as a milestone in our cooperation and a testament to the deep bond between China and Africa,” Yu said.
According to him, the complex, completed after more than 1,200 days of construction, blends advanced Chinese engineering with West African cultural elements and is designed to boost ECOWAS’ operational efficiency.
He reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to Africa, stressing that China’s partnership with the continent is rooted in “mutual respect, non-interference, and tangible results,” while supporting Africa’s modernization and stronger global influence.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, described the project as a symbol of unity, cooperation and collective progress in the region.
“This event goes beyond the commissioning of a structure; it represents a reaffirmation of our shared commitment to regional integration, peace, and sustainable development,” she said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for sustaining Nigeria’s leadership role in regional integration, while praising the Chinese government for what she called a “remarkable gesture of goodwill.”
She said the new headquarters would serve as a strategic centre for policy coordination, dialogue and collective action among ECOWAS member states.
President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, described the handover as historic, coming as the regional bloc marks its 50th anniversary.
“This is a significant moment for ECOWAS. The completion of this complex within two years is highly commendable,” Touray said.
He noted that the facility would help address accommodation challenges and improve the bloc’s efficiency in delivering its mandate across member states.
Touray disclosed that the complex features multi-storey office buildings, an 800-seat conference centre, meeting rooms equipped with interpretation systems and other modern support facilities.
Also speaking, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, lauded China for the timely delivery of the project and reaffirmed the FCT Administration’s support in providing an enabling environment for its completion.
He described the headquarters as a legacy project that would further position Abuja as a diplomatic hub while boosting regional cooperation.
A representative of Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio, who chairs the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, also expressed appreciation for China’s continued support to West Africa.
The representative described the complex as “a lasting legacy and permanent inheritance” for the region, saying it would strengthen ECOWAS’ capacity to meet evolving challenges.
Stakeholders at the ceremony said the project reflects growing China-Africa ties and a shared vision for peace, economic growth and regional stability.
They also called for stronger unity among ECOWAS member states to tackle common challenges, including insecurity and economic pressures.
The formal commissioning of the new ECOWAS headquarters is expected later this year by regional leaders.
