The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has begun a four-day regional workshop in Abuja, Nigeria, focused on “Strengthening Security Analysis and Environmental Resilience.” The event, which runs from November 25 to 28, 2025, is designed to enhance the skills of analysts from National Centres for the Coordination of Response Mechanisms (NCCRMs) in areas such as early warning, security analysis, and environmental monitoring.
Organized by the ECOWAS Early Warning Directorate, the workshop is part of broader efforts to improve analytical capabilities and promote collaboration within early warning systems across West Africa. Participants include representatives from ECOWAS institutions and specialized agencies, the Office of the Special Envoy of Ghana to the Alliance of Sahelian State, as well as international partners like UNOWAS, WFP, WANEP, WATHI, ISS, ACLED, ARAA, KAIPTC, ECOWAS Water Resources Coordination Centre (WRCC), RCSDC, ACRST, CHEDES, AGRHYMET, and Nigeria’s National Defence College.
During opening remarks delivered on behalf of the ECOWAS Vice-President H.E. Damtien TCHINTCHIBIDJA, Dr. Onyinye Onwuka—Acting Director of the Early Warning Directorate—highlighted growing challenges facing the region. She said that there is an urgent need to strengthen both national and regional capacities in light of rising security and environmental threats that are affecting economic integration and political stability.
She stated: “Member States National Centres must be fully equipped to translate early warning insights into timely and coordinated responses. This workshop is another important step toward that goal.” Dr. Onwuka also emphasized building stronger partnerships among national mechanisms, policymakers, and international organizations.
Representatives from UNOWAS and WATHI—including Dr. James Aji and Dr. Gilles Yabi—expressed their ongoing support for ECOWAS initiatives aimed at improving peacebuilding efforts through better early warning systems.
Workshop facilitators called for raising analytical standards further by improving data quality and increasing cross-border cooperation within member states.