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Update: Tinubu mobilizes standby force as he is reelected for a second term as ECOWAS Chairman
• Faye, Gnasingbe lead talks as Niger, Mali, B’Faso form Union of Sahel
Another chapter opened yesterday in the history of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) with the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as chairman of Heads of State and Government.
He was first elected in Guinea-Bissau on July 9 last year after just one month and a few days as Nigeria’s president.
President Tinubu immediately picked the gauntlet, promising to deepen democracy in the sub-region and push on for the formation of a standby force to enhance security in West Africa.
The unity of the 16-member body, which was threatened following the coup d’état in three member states, took a new turn.
Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Republic, ruled by military juntas, formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) at the weekend.
The sub-regional body after yesterday’s 65th Ordinary Session meeting held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, set up a team to hold talks with them.
The ECOWAS chairman said: “I have appointed the President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, to please, become our Special Envoy to Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic, along with the President of Togo, Faure Gnassingbé, to do round the clock work with our brothers in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic, and to coordinate with me and the ECOWAS Commission, where necessary.
“I have accepted to continue the service to the great members and the great minds that are committed to democratic values and our journey in the region.
“I will continue to serve our interest and build on democratic values and the structure that we inherited.”
President Tinubu urged the Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS to work towards the establishment and sustenance of a regional standby force for the security and economic advancement of the community.
He emphasised the expediency of a standby force in the face of growing security threats in the region.
‘Redeem financial obligations’
President Tinubu urged member-states to fulfil their financial commitments so that the regional body could effectively tackle security challenges.
He said substantial financial resources are crucial to the take-off of the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) to combat terrorism, banditry and violent extremism.
He said if member states honour their financial obligations, it would enable ECOWAS to meet the expectations and recommendations of its ministers of defence on regional security.
He said: “Let me underscore that a peaceful and secure society is essential for achieving our potential.”
He said the move to operationalise the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) was key to combating terrorism.
President Tinubu added: “I must emphasise that the success of this plan requires, not only strong political will but also substantial financial resources.
“We must, therefore, ensure that we meet the expectations and recommendations set forth by our ministers of Defence and Finance in order to counter the insecurity and stabilise our region.
“Member states must make extra commitment to providing resources for stabilising the region.
“To this end, I urge ECOWAS to leverage the capability of the Nigeria National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC), which is widely acknowledged as one of the best on the continent.
“The Nigerian government has decided to declare the NCTC as a regional centre to enable all ECOWAS member states to benefit from capacity building and other related opportunities it offers.
“Your Excellencies, dear heads of state, I urge you to visit the centre before your departure and assess first-hand the facilities and the capabilities of NCTC.”
President Tinubu also urged ECOWAS member states to unite and develop innovative approaches to unlock the region’s economic potential and promote prosperity.
He acknowledged the economic hurdles hindering progress and stressed the need for partnerships, investment, and infrastructure development.
President Tinubu emphasised the importance of a conducive business environment to stimulate growth and build resilience against external aggression.
He urged member states to comply with the protocol on community levies to ensure adequate resources for the organisation’s programmes, assuring of Nigeria’s commitment not to default on its finance commitments.
President Tinubu added: “I’m also fully aware of other challenges confronting our region, especially the economic hurdles that hinder our progress to elevate our people from poverty to prosperity.
“It is imperative that we unite as a community and develop innovative approaches to unleash our vast economic potential.
“We must continue to identify and develop partnerships that promote investment in key sectors and promote regional trade.
“Furthermore, we must invest in our infrastructure and cultivate a conducive business environment to empower our community to stimulate growth and build resilience against external shock.
President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, said the region had proved that democracy is alive because of the successful transition in Senegal, Nigeria, Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone and Liberia.
He said: “We look forward to the consolidation of this trend in the region as we prepare for a major election in Ghana later this year.”
Touray warned that the region was still being confronted with multidimensional challenges, which seem to overshadow its modest achievements
He said: “Our region is still confronted with multiple interlocking threats, including existential works.
“These include climatic and man-made crises, leading to terrorism and violent extremism and food insecurity.
“Livelihoods continued to be threatened by illegal and unsustainable exploitation of our land, forest and marine resources.
“Governance deficit and marginalisation have strained social contracts, engendering bitter rivalries and unhealthy competition.
“To complicate the situation, our region has become the arena of geo-strategic and geo-political rivalries and the theatre of misinformation and disinformation that engenders mistrust among and within communities and undermine social cohesion.”
Touray said the Commission had commenced preparation for the 50th anniversary of the regional body.
The Commission would propose a Special Extra-ordinary Summit on the future of the Community, he added.
The President reminded them that the AU election will be held on February 25, next year.
President Tinubu said: “Our region continues to face significant security challenges, including terrorism, violence extremism and banditry.
“Currently West Africa holds the position of AU Commissioner for political affairs and security, a crucial role for our region.
“Therefore, I solicit our support for the candidacy of Ambassador Bankole Adeoye seeking re-election as the sole male candidate for this position for our region.”
AU: withdrawal not acceptable
The AU said the purported withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from ECOWAS is not acceptable.
AU said it believed in the unity of ECOWAS, adding that it would support efforts to ensure the region’s prosperity.
Moussa Faki, Chairperson of AU Commission, commended the efforts of ECOWAS in addressing insecurity in the region.
Faki, who was represented by Ambassador Adeoye, also described ECOWAS as a pace-setter in security and constitutional transition of government as exemplified in the recent elections in the region.
He said: “African Union is very proud of ECOWAS. We advocate and fully support the unity of ECOWAS. The withdrawal of the three countries is not acceptable to the African Union.”
Three countries form Union of Sahel
Military rulers in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger converged on the Nigerien capital of Niamey at the weekend to form a confederation of three Sahel states.
At their first summit since taking power in military coups, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso leaders adopted a joint statement for a treaty to set up the confederation.
“This summit marks a decisive step for the future of our common space.
“Together, we will consolidate the foundations of our true independence, a guarantee of true peace and sustainable development through the creation of the ‘Alliance of Sahel States’ Confederation’,” Capt. Ibrahim Traore, the leader of Burkina Faso, wrote on his X handle.
He added: “The AES (Alliance of Sahel States) is full of enormous natural potential which, if properly exploited, will guarantee a better future for the people of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.”
Ties between the three Sahel nations and ECOWAS had deteriorated after Gen. Abdourahamane Tiani took power from elected President Mohamed Bazoum in a coup in Niger in July.
ECOWAS imposed sanctions on Niger and threatened intervention which irritated the trio.
The three countries, with a combined population of 72 million, are affected by instability caused by militant groups.
The trio is expected to cooperate on security issues and form closer economic ties.
…dismisses appeal, awards N2m cost against party
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed an appeal by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the October 31 judgment by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the national convention planned for Ibadan, Oyo State on November 15 and 16 by the PDP.
In a unanimous judgment on Monday, a three-member panel of the appellate court resolved the four issues for determination against the PDP.
It held that the appeal by the PDP was without merit and that the Federal High Court was right to have entered the October 31 judgment and granted all the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs.
The Court of Appeal faulted the PDP’s claim that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to have heard the case on the grounds that issues involved were solely internal affairs of the party.
The court also held that the plaintiffs had the locus standi to have institutes the suit to protect their democratic rights and that the PDP was not denied fair hearing as it claimed in its appeal.
The court awarded N2million cost against the PDP for filing a frivolous appeal.
The court is yet to render its decisions in the remaining eight appeals, which include judgment and rulings
Opeifa maintained that derailments are not peculiar to Nigeria, noting that such incidents occur across advanced rail systems globally.
“Derailments are regular occurrences in the rail sector worldwide. In February alone, there were incidents in countries like Britain and others. Around the same time we experienced one, there were multiple derailments across the world,” he said.
He disclosed that in 2025, Nigeria recorded three major derailments:
• August 26 at Asham in Kaduna State
• November 1 at Abraka on the Warri–Itakpe line
• November 8 at Agbor on the same corridor
He said the NRC responded swiftly, restoring services within 24 hours in one case, while others were resolved within 21 and 28 days respectively.
Opeifa stressed that derailments can result from factors such as weather conditions, signal glitches, human error, speeding, or aging infrastructure, but noted that in Nigeria’s recent cases, there were no fatalities.
“These incidents are preventable and efforts are ongoing to minimize them. However, they should not be seen as major setbacks to the overall progress of the railway system,” he said.
On Allegations of Mismanagement
Addressing allegations of financial mismanagement within the corporation, Opeifa declined detailed comments, citing ongoing legal processes.
“When a matter is in court, it is sub judice. Allegations of corruption or mismanagement should be handled by the appropriate authorities,” he stated.
He reiterated that his priority is to reposition the NRC in line with global best practices and ensure efficient rail services for Nigerians.
Expansion, Upgrades and National Connectivity
The NRC boss said efforts are underway to restore damaged coaches and upgrade infrastructure using local engineers and technicians.
“We are bringing back the lines and retrofitting coaches. The Warri–Itakpe line is operational. The Abuja–Kaduna line is running, and we are increasing trips from two to three,” he said.
On long-term plans, Opeifa disclosed that the NRC roadmap envisions rail connectivity across major cities nationwide, subject to funding and phased execution.
He dismissed claims of abandoned projects, explaining that rail developments are capital-intensive and implemented in phases based on available resources.
He cited progress on the Lagos–Ibadan corridor—part of the larger Lagos–Kano project—as well as ongoing work on the Kano–Maradi line linking key northern cities.
Lagos–South-East, Port Connections in View
Opeifa also highlighted plans to expand connectivity between southern ports and inland cities. These include proposed links from Warri to Abuja and from Lekki Deep Sea Port to Kajola, Benin, Onitsha, and Aba, enabling both passenger and cargo movement.
Toward Modern Signaling and Faster Trains
On modernization, he said Nigeria is gradually upgrading from older narrow-gauge systems to standard-gauge infrastructure with improved signaling technology.
He noted that metro rail projects in Kaduna, Kano, and Lagos are being developed with higher signaling standards, positioning the country for faster and more efficient train services in the coming years.
“We are not yet at the highest global level, but we are moving steadily upward,” Opeifa said.
A quiet transformation is reshaping the daily commute between Nigeria’s commercial hub and the historic city of Ibadan. Passengers on the Lagos–Ibadan standard gauge corridor say services have become more efficient and predictable following a clampdown on ticket racketeering led by Kayode Opeifa
The renewed confidence in the rail line linking Lagos and is influencing residential and employment decisions among middle-income earners who once considered daily intercity commuting unrealistic.
“It is now possible to live in Ibadan and work in Lagos without the daily anxiety of securing a ticket,” said Adewale Bamidele, a financial analyst who travels three times a week. “Before, you needed connections. Now, you book, you board, you arrive.”
A Line Once Hindered by Middlemen
The Lagos–Ibadan railway, inaugurated as a flagship infrastructure project under the administration of former President Buhari was designed to ease pressure on the congested Lagos–Ibadan Expressway and deepen economic integration across the South-West.
However, in its early phases, passengers frequently complained of informal ticket rackets. Allegations included bulk-buying by intermediaries and artificial scarcity that forced travellers to pay inflated prices for seats on high-demand trains.
Industry observers say such practices undermined the railway’s credibility as a mass transit solution. “Transport systems thrive on predictability and fairness,” said a transport economist “Once access is perceived as compromised, commuters revert to road transport despite the risks and delays.”
Enforcement and Digitisation
Since assuming oversight responsibilities within the sector, Opeifa has reportedly intensified internal monitoring and strengthened digital ticketing protocols. Railway officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said stricter verification processes and disciplinary measures against errant staff have curtailed unauthorised ticket sales.
Although the Nigerian Railway Corporation has not released detailed enforcement data, anecdotal evidence from regular commuters points to shorter queues, smoother boarding procedures and fewer last-minute cancellations.
For professionals with flexible work schedules, the improvement has been significant. The average journey time of about two to three hours—depending on the service type—now compares favourably with unpredictable road travel, which can take considerably longer during peak traffic.
Changing Urban Dynamics
Property agents in Ibadan report a modest rise in enquiries from Lagos-based workers seeking more affordable housing. Rents in many parts of Ibadan remain significantly lower than comparable neighbourhoods in Lagos, offering relief to households grappling with inflationary pressures.
“Rail reliability changes everything,” said Funke Adebayo, a real estate consultant in Ibadan. “When people trust the timetable, they are more willing to relocate.”
Economists caution, however, that long-term success will depend on consistent maintenance, adequate security along the corridor and transparent ticketing systems. Any return to informal practices could quickly erode recent gains.
The Lagos–Ibadan corridor is widely regarded as a litmus test for Nigeria’s broader rail ambitions. With additional standard gauge projects planned or underway nationwide, policymakers face mounting pressure to ensure that infrastructure investments translate into reliable public service delivery.
For now, passengers remain cautiously optimistic.
“It feels more organised,” Bamidele said while disembarking at Mobolaji Johnson Station in Lagos. “If this standard is sustained, rail can genuinely compete with road transport.”
Nigeria agree, the real challenge lies not just in laying tracks, but in sustaining public trust.
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