From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
At the 66th Ordinary Summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government, held on December 15, 2024, in Abuja, Nigeria, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, announced that Nigeria has paid 100% of its community levy for the first time in 19 years. This payment, totalling $85.54 billion for 2023 and extending through July 2024, reflects Nigeria’s commitment to the ECOWAS community.
Touray expressed gratitude for this significant contribution, highlighting it as a vote of confidence in the organisation he has led since 2022.
“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 paid 85 billion naira and 54 million US dollars, representing 100 percent of the 2023 levy and the level for 2024 up to July 2024. The money was paid on Friday, December 13, 2024.
“This payment underscores the leadership and commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the government, and the people of Nigeria to the ECOWAS community.
“At a more personal level, it underscores a mark of confidence in the ECOWAS that I have been privileged to lead since 2022. My colleagues and I are deeply grateful.”