By Uriel Ihotu
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform the public that the Special Envoy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the upcoming West Africa Economic Summit (WAES), Her Excellency Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, was received by President Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire on Friday, June 13, 2025, at the Presidential Palace in Abidjan.
This was contained in a statement Signed on Friday, 13th June 2025 by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa Spokesperson,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja
According to the statement, Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu delivered a formal letter from President Tinubu, inviting President Ouattara to attend the inaugural West Africa Economic Summit, scheduled to be held in Abuja from June 20 to 21, 2025. She conveyed Nigeria’s readiness to host regional leaders and economic stakeholders in a high-level dialogue aimed at fostering economic integration and sustainable development across the sub-region.
The Special Envoy was accompanied by senior members of her delegation, including Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs; Ambassador John Ejinaka; and Ambassador Ahmed Sule.
Highlighting the summit’s theme, “Unlocking Trade and Investment Opportunities in the Region,” Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu underscored the significance of the summit as a platform to chart a new course for regional economic growth, trade liberalization, and strategic collaboration.
In response, President Ouattara welcomed the initiative, describing it as both timely and essential in addressing shared regional economic challenges. He commended President Tinubu’s visionary leadership and assured of Côte d’Ivoire’s strong support and participation in the Abuja summit.
The West Africa Economic Summit 2025 is poised to become a pivotal event in the region’s collective journey toward economic sovereignty, resilience, and transformation.
