In a historic moment for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Mrs. Maimunatu Ibrahima of Togo has been sworn in as the first female speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament. The swearing-in ceremony took place during the second extraordinary session of the parliament in Kano.
As per the parliament’s rotational system for the speakership, Togo was designated for the position during this legislative session, leading to Mrs. Ibrahima’s appointment.
In her response following the swearing-in, Speaker Ibrahima pledged to collaborate with her colleagues in advancing regional integration efforts within the sub-region. She expressed her commitment to enhancing the parliament’s image to ensure it is respected and esteemed by all stakeholders.
Grateful for the confidence placed in her by her fellow parliamentarians, Speaker Ibrahima vowed to leverage her extensive experience to contribute meaningfully to the work of the sub-regional parliament. She emphasized her priority of fostering harmonious cooperation among members to promote West African integration.
Acknowledging the support of Togo and Nigeria’s presidents, as well as the authorities of the heads of state, Speaker Ibrahima expressed her gratitude for their backing of the parliament’s endeavours.
Female members of the parliament lauded the decision to elect a woman as the speaker, recognizing it as a significant step forward for gender representation and inclusivity in ECOWAS leadership.
Mrs. Ibrahima, who previously served as the third Deputy Speaker in the Fifth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament, has been a member since 2021. She assumes the role of speaker following the tenure of Sen. Barau Jibrin from Nigeria, further cementing her place in ECOWAS history.
