President Bola Tinubu has made a payment of N85 billion and $54 million to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), fulfilling 100 percent of the levies owed by Nigeria. Omar Touray, president of the ECOWAS Commission, announced this during his report at the ongoing 66th meeting of ECOWAS in Abuja.
He explained that this payment covers all levies for 2023 and 2024, as of July this year, and noted that it marks the first time in 19 years that Nigeria has made such a complete payment. Touray made this announcement while addressing heads of states and other attendees at the 66th Ordinary Summit of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of States and Government, which is being held at the State House in Abuja. According to Touray, “Our community levy remittances continue to be slow. Several countries have fallen behind in their commitments to levy payments.
The good news is that, for the first time in 19 years, Nigeria has decided to pay 100 percent of its community levy up to 2023. Nigeria has paid N85 billion naira and $54 million, covering the full amount for the 2023 levy and part of the 2024 levy up to July 2024.
This payment was made on Friday, December 13, 2024. This action underscores the leadership and commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as the government and people of Nigeria, to the ECOWAS community. Personally, it also reflects my confidence in ECOWAS, which I have been privileged to lead since 2022.
My colleagues and I are deeply grateful.” President Tinubu, addressing the assembly, emphasized that the strength of ECOWAS lies in the unity of its members. He remarked, “ECOWAS was born out of a shared vision to create a community for our citizens.
The world is facing numerous challenges, including crises in Sudan, the Middle East, violent extremism, and environmental issues. Many of these challenges have affected our region, highlighting the importance of working together.” President Bola Tinubu presided over the meeting as the chairman of the Ordinary Heads of State of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
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