The ECOWAS Commission in collaboration with its partners is reviewing the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with its Training Centres of Excellence (TCEs). The 3-day working group review session which began on the 28^th of October in Abuja, Nigeria is meant among others, to ensure that new and emerging realities are incorporated in the MoU.

This is in addition to the establishment of a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation system, a clarified roles and responsibilities for stakeholders’ institutions including an expanded scope of cooperation as well as the much-awaited coordination of training, curriculum development and research across the TCEs.

Speaking during the opening of the review session, the Ag Head, Peace Support Operations Division (PSOD) of the ECOWAS Commission Dr. Sani Adamu stressed the need to advance the shared commitment of the existing partnership between ECOWAS and the TCEs owing to the critical role it plays in building the human and institutional capacity necessary to promote peace, security, and sustainable development in our region.

He highlighted the significant achievements recorded since the establishment of the MoU to include capacity building in peace support operations, early warning, humanitarian response, including the implementation of the ECOWAS training standards and doctrines, while also fostering regional cooperation and interoperability among Member States.“Our collective goal is to enhance coordination, accountability, and impact — ensuring that together, we continue to contribute meaningfully to the vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous West Africa.”  He added.

Welcoming participants earlier, the representative of the Commandant of the Nigerian National Defence College (NDC) Dr. Yusuf Abubakar Mamud noted the timeliness of the review as the region is now confronted by constantly evolving new and complex threats, ranging from violent extremism and transnational organized crime to democratic backsliding and governance, demanding a new framework that not only reflects emerging realities, but is dynamic, inclusive, and results-oriented.

The GIZ representative and head of component, ECOWAS Peace, Security and Governance Project (EPSG) Ms Teresa Kraft urged participants to do a thorough review of the process so that the MoU can have the desired positive impact on the region.

Signed in 2007, The MoU with the TCEs was reviewed in 2016. The current review process builds on the momentum of the directive of the review of the MOU by the Meeting of Commandants of ECOWAS TCEs in May 2024 and the Capacity Needs Assessment (CNA) Workshop held earlier in 2025 which identified key gaps and proposed priority actions for appropriate remedies to ensure it remains relevant, responsive, and effective in addressing identified emerging challenges.

The review sessions are facilitated by the Nkum Associates with the active support of the ECOWAS Peace, Security and Governance (EPSG). Participants are drawn from the relevant Departments of the ECOWAS Commission, the Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), the NDC as well as the GIZ.