Facing significant security challenges, Nigeria has joined the ECOWAS-EU Small Arms Project, comprising six other countries, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, Mali and Niger.

The official launching ceremony of the Nigerian component of the project was held on 9 February 2017 in Abuja, at the headquarters of the ECOWAS Commission.

The objective of this project financed by the European Union up to € 2.2 million (N638 million) is to harmonize approaches to combating the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the region. Let’s note that, roughly, eight million arms are manufactured every year throughout the world and more than e one million people are killed each year by small arms and light weapons.

Initiated by ECOWAS, funded by the EU and executed by UNDP, this project aims to raise citizens’ awareness in the border areas about the dangers of illicit arms trafficking, to strengthen the capacities of the security forces through training and to promote alternative livelihoods in targeted communities.

In a speech at the opening ceremony, Madam Hadja Khadija Abba Bukar Ibrahim, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, welcomed the project, which is in line with the government’s vision She highlighted the synergy of actions between ECOWAS, European Union, United Nations Development Program and the Nigerian Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons.

“The proliferation of illicit weapons plays a negative role, intensifies the problems of insecurity, hinders peace, security and development in the region,” said the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs before saluting ECOWAS for its efforts in the region to establish a Regional Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons currently being studied by other regions across Africa.

The Vice-President of ECOWAS Commission, M. Edward SINGHATEY said that “the security challenges facing Nigeria require significant support from our partners to accompany the federal government.” “It is therefore imperative,” he added, “that we all support Nigeria in the daunting task of addressing these security challenges.” In this regard, the ECOWAS Vice-President made a strong appeal to the development partners to continue “supporting Nigeria at this difficult time”.

 Speaking to the audience, Madam Halima Ahmed, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, said that “some countries in the region have experienced armed conflicts with serious consequences for the Development and socio-economic life of populations because of the easy access and availability of small arms and light weapons in our communities “.

Madam Halima Ahmed took this opportunity to call for urgent action to accompany our member states in addressing the security challenges. The ECOWAS Commission’s commitment to this project is total and consistent with the overall objective of the ECOWAS Vision 2020, she said.

Several other personalities took part in the launching ceremony of the Nigerian component of the ECOWAS-EU Small Arms Project, including representatives of the President of the Senate, representatives of the EU and UNDP, the executive governors of the states Nigerians from Kebi, Zanfara, Ikwa Ibon, Kaduna, Katsina and Sokoto, ECOWAS Ambassadors, the President of the Republic’s Adviser on the Niger Delta, heads of the armed forces, security and police services, Representatives of ministerial departments and members of civil society organizations.