Akpabio, Achi rally West Africa unity, push integration agenda at IPU

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deeper bilateral and regional cooperation with Côte d’Ivoire, following a high-level meeting with the Speaker of the Ivorian National Assembly, Patrick Jérôme Achi, at the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

The meeting, held on the sidelines of the global parliamentary summit in Istanbul, underscored renewed efforts by both countries to strengthen ties and advance the integration of West Africa.

Welcoming the Ivorian delegation, Akpabio described Côte d’Ivoire as a historic partner and “brother nation,” stressing that stronger collaboration remains critical to the region’s future.

He warned that failure to unite could expose the region to emerging forms of neocolonialism. “If we unite as a bloc, we will be stronger in trade, economic cooperation, political collaboration, and cultural exchange,” he said.

Both leaders called for urgent steps to deepen regional integration through the Economic Community of West African States, including efforts to reintegrate Sahel countries and strengthen collective economic and political frameworks.

Akpabio noted that in an increasingly fragmented global order, West Africa must act together to safeguard its interests and maximise its economic potential.

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A major highlight of the talks was the Abidjan–Accra–Lagos Coastal Highway, a flagship infrastructure project expected to connect over 300 million people across the sub-region. The superhighway, when completed, is projected to cut travel time between Lagos and Abidjan from three days to about eight hours, while facilitating seamless cross-border movement through harmonised laws and reduced bottlenecks.

Describing the project as “an economic artery,” Akpabio said it would redefine mobility, trade, and regional integration, while commending Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to its realisation.

In his remarks, Achi stressed the importance of private sector-led growth, noting that governments must create enabling environments for investment and job creation.

“Governments do not grow economies — the private sector does,” he said, identifying peace, stability, education, and economic opportunity as key pillars for sustainable development.

The leaders also acknowledged persistent challenges, including language barriers, weak infrastructure, fragmented markets, and brain drain, warning that Africa risks underperforming despite its vast natural and human resources.

They raised concerns over the security implications of open-border systems, advocating technology-driven surveillance, smart border management, and enhanced regional intelligence cooperation.

Both sides further cautioned against emerging threats such as digital and economic recolonisation, urging increased investment in technology and innovation.

Akpabio and Achi pledged to strengthen parliamentary collaboration, improve oversight of regional projects, and harmonise legislative frameworks to support integration.

They described Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire as strategic pillars of West Africa, expressing confidence that closer cooperation would drive the region’s transformation.

“If we work together, nothing is impossible,” Achi said.