Nigeria remains Africa’s beacon of hope, not a burden, according to Chief William Deiyan Towah, Director of Administration and Finance at the ECOWAS Court of Justice. Speaking at the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Leadership Summit on Saturday in Abuja, Towah described Nigeria as a continentally significant nation endowed with vast human and natural resources, widely respected across Africa despite persistent negative stereotypes.

Honoured at the summit themed “Celebrating a Legacy of Service and Excellence,” Towah said Africans recognise Nigeria’s strength, resilience, and contributions on the global stage.

“There are more good people in Nigeria than bad ones. Nigeria remains Africa’s hope—and you, the youth, are that hope,” he declared, urging students to embrace humility, discipline, and hard work. “Every problem has a solution. If you cannot find it, you may be part of the solution. The small opportunities can unlock breakthroughs. Humility is the greatest form of strength.”

Reflecting on his experience as a survivor of the Liberian Civil War, Towah recounted how Nigeria, through ECOWAS, contributed to restoring peace in Liberia, and he paid tribute to the Nigerian soldiers who lost their lives during the intervention. “All of Liberia celebrates Nigeria for the human cost it paid during our war. That shaped my attitude toward Nigeria,” he said.

The summit coincided with Towah’s official retirement from ECOWAS, a moment he described as symbolic, allowing him to reaffirm his gratitude to Nigeria and his commitment to African unity. “I see myself as Nigerian. I survived because of what ECOWAS and Nigeria did for my country. Wherever I am, I will continue to support Nigeria,” he said.

He emphasised the vital role of youth in nation-building and continental development, noting that Africa’s transformation depends on young leaders acting with integrity, courage, and selflessness. Towah highlighted that over 40 percent of Nigeria’s National and State Assembly members are former student activists, a statistic he said should inspire today’s youth to pursue accountable and people-centred leadership. “This country has always relied on young people to push its democracy forward. Many of your leaders today once sat where you sit. If they could rise through activism, nothing stops you—except refusing to serve honestly,” he said.

Describing young Africans as the “wind of change,” Towah said they are the continent’s most valuable asset, particularly amid regional instability and leadership challenges. His personal journey—from a village boy in rural Liberia to a senior ECOWAS diplomat—demonstrates, in his view, that leadership depends on commitment to service, not one’s starting point.

Towah’s message, delivered on his retirement day, was more than a farewell; it was a call for African youth to lead the continent with vision, integrity, and dedication.

During the summit, Towah and the President of the Nigerian Youth Congress, Comrade Jethro Terhile Annum, jointly launched ICON Magazine, contributing N2 million and N1 million respectively. Other dignitaries present also supported the launch through donations.