Nigeria to join world’s top 5 economies – ECOWAS

The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, says Nigeria is on track to become one of the world’s top five economies by the year 2100.

He said this is because of ongoing economic reforms and Nigeria’s renewed leadership in West Africa under President Bola Tinubu.

Touray’s message was delivered at the official launch of the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC) by the Nigeria Immigration Service on Friday in Abuja.

He praised Nigeria for taking a strong leadership role in the region, especially during difficult times. He said ECOWAS forces had been sent to Guinea-Bissau to help prevent the crisis there from getting worse.

According to him, Nigeria continues to support peace, security, and development across West Africa.

Touray said, “Despite the security problems and loss of lives caused by terrorism, Nigeria is still committed to securing the region.”

He explained that ECOWAS troops in Guinea-Bissau are working with local leaders to stop conflict and stabilize the situation. “Our brothers and sisters are there to stop war and protect the country’s future,” he said.

Touray described Nigeria as a source of strength for other West African countries. He said Nigeria’s leadership is helping to unite the region at a time when the world is facing major economic and security challenges.

He also praised the Tinubu administration for modernising Nigeria’s identity system through the new biometric card. The ENBIC card will allow easier travel, support tourism, attract investors, improve trade, and boost economic growth in West Africa.

He said the card is an important tool to fight cross-border crime, irregular migration, and document fraud, calling it a major step toward stronger regional integration.

Touray thanked the European Union and other international partners for supporting the identity card project and other ECOWAS programmes.

The Chief of Mission for the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Dimanche Sharon, also welcomed the launch. He said the card is a “strategic step” toward safer movement and better identity verification across the region.

Nigeria has now become the seventh ECOWAS country to start using the card. The project was first planned 11 years ago but has been revived under what officials described as President Tinubu’s renewed leadership and focus on results.