ABUJA — Beneath the celebration of Voice of Nigeria at 51, a deeper concern echoed through the halls of its 2026 forum — the future of West African unity.
Delivering a goodwill message, former Army Chief, Tukur Yusuf Buratai, issued a strong appeal for renewed regional cooperation, warning that cracks within ECOWAS could threaten decades of progress.
For over half a century, Nigeria has stood at the centre of regional stability — from leading ECOMOG peace missions in war-torn Liberia and Sierra Leone to diplomatic interventions across West Africa. But today, Buratai suggests, that legacy faces a critical test.
At the heart of his concern is the growing divide between ECOWAS and Sahel nations, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, now aligned under a separate bloc.
Without their return, Buratai warned, the vision of a united and secure West Africa may remain out of reach.
“Progress in the region may be a mirage without unity,” he cautioned.
He urged stronger alignment between ECOWAS and the African Union, stressing that Africa’s peace architecture must function as a single, coordinated force.
Amid the warnings, Buratai also paid tribute to Voice of Nigeria, praising its evolution into a pan-African voice and acknowledging veteran journalists who shaped its legacy.
Yet, beyond the commendations, his message was clear: West Africa stands at a crossroads — and the choices made now will define the region’s future stability.
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