Author(s) :

ABDULRASHEED Abdulyakeen , NURAIN Abayomi Mumuni .

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

Abstract This study examines the 50-year journey of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), assessing its resilience, growth, and the potential for a new vision aimed at enhancing its global relevance. The study addresses the challenges ECOWAS has faced in its quest for regional integration, political stability, and economic cooperation amidst global shifts. The objectives are to evaluate the successes and shortcomings of ECOWAS, analyze its response to socio-political and economic challenges, and propose strategies for redefining its role on the global stage. Drawing on the theory of regionalism and integration, the study adopts a qualitative methodology, combining a review of archival records, policy documents, and expert interviews. Findings reveal that while ECOWAS has made significant strides in fostering economic growth and peacekeeping, its effectiveness has often been hampered by political instability, external dependency, and internal conflicts. The conclusion underscores the need for ECOWAS to redefine its vision by focusing on sustainable development, intra-regional trade, political cohesion, and global diplomacy. Recommendations include strengthening regional institutions, enhancing member-state cooperation, and adopting new strategies for tackling emerging challenges like climate change, migration, and security threats, ensuring ECOWAS becomes more resilient and relevant in global affairs over the next 50 years. Keywords: ECOWAS, Regional Integration, Peace and Security, Economic Cooperation, Global Relevance, Trade Liberalization.

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