Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, has issued a stern warning that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is at risk of crumbling due to poor leadership, weak institutions, and a growing trust deficit among member states.

Speaking at Christ Church College, University of Oxford, during an event marking ECOWAS’ 50th anniversary on May 9, 2025, Governor Bala described the situation as a “crisis of governance” that directly affects millions of West Africans.

“The West African Community is failing due to poor governance, a trust deficit among leaders, and weak institutional accountability,” he told an audience of scholars, diplomats, and policymakers.

Crisis of Governance in West Africa

Governor Mohammed emphasized that the governance failures in ECOWAS are not theoretical, but practical issues that disrupt daily life, economic growth, and regional cooperation. He called for urgent leadership reforms to salvage the regional bloc.

He also highlighted his administration’s efforts in Bauchi State, pointing to reforms in:

• Education and healthcare
• Infrastructure development
• Youth and women’s empowerment
• Transparency and institutional accountability
• Obasanjo and ECOWAS’s Future

The governor’s remarks echoed sentiments by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who delivered the keynote address at the Oxford event. Obasanjo warned that mistrust and lack of cooperation among West African leaders threaten the region’s democracy and integration goals.

He also raised alarms about the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) — a breakaway bloc formed by Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, countries currently under military rule and distancing themselves from ECOWAS.

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Bala Mohammed’s Rising Regional Profile

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mukhtar Gidado, Governor Bala’s participation was praised as a sign of his increasing influence in regional politics and commitment to strengthening democracy and unity in West Africa.

The Oxford conference brought together top African policymakers, global scholars, and diplomats to discuss issues surrounding security, development, and the future of democracy in West Africa.

For more updates on West African politics, regional security, and global diplomacy, keep following Naija Blog Daily.

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