A Beninese academic, politician and diplomat, Professor Nassirou Bako-Arifari has been appointed Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs of the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for the 2026–2030 term. His career spans academia, social science research, political leadership and diplomacy.

He holds a PhD in Sociology and Social Anthropology, having studied at the prestigious École des hautes études en sciences sociales (EHESS) in Marseille and the University of Hohenheim in Germany. He is Professor of Political Sociology at the University of Abomey-Calavi, where he teaches political sociology, political communication, peace diplomacy and public policy.

As founder and Scientific Director of the Beninese branch of the Laboratory for Studies and Research on Social Dynamics and Local Development (LASDEL), he has coordinated several international programmes focusing on governance, decentralisation, corruption, public health and security. He has also provided expertise to the World Bank, the European Union, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Swiss Cooperation.

Having authored more than 40 academic articles and four books, he was awarded a CODESRIA research prize in 1989. He has been a visiting lecturer at New School University in New York and has taught at several European universities.

A five-term member of Benin’s National Assembly, he chaired the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security and contributed to the committees on education, social affairs and planning. He later represented Benin in the ECOWAS Parliament from 2022 to 2026. He also oversaw the national commission that delivered Benin’s first computerised permanent electoral register (LEPI).

From 2011 to 2015, Nassirou Bako-Arifari served as Benin’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration, Francophonie and Beninese Abroad, advancing the country’s international engagement and regional cooperation. Before joining the ECOWAS Commission, he further strengthened his diplomatic profile as the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for Africa.

A gifted polyglot, he communicates fluently in French, English and German, as well as in several African languages, including Dendi, Songhay-Zarma and Hausa. His versatile profile also extends to the media: he led the newspaper L’Horizon and founded the student publication Le Héraut at the National University of Benin (UNB).

Married with six children, Professor Nassirou Bako-Arifari brings a distinguished record of research, public service and diplomacy to the ECOWAS Commission. His deep understanding of national and regional institutions, combined with proven expertise in governance, public health and local development, positions him to advance impactful human development and social priorities across West Africa.