KANO, NIGERIA — Former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Yusuf Buratai (Rtd), will chair the 24th Annual Symposium commemorating the 43rd memorial anniversary of Aminu Kano, with a strong focus on regional security and economic cooperation in West Africa.
The high-level event, scheduled for Friday, April 17, 2026, at the Sa’adu Zungur Auditorium, Mambayya House in Kano, is expected to convene policymakers, academics, and security experts to examine the evolving role of Economic Community of West African States in maintaining peace and stability across the subregion.
With the theme “ECOWAS and Regional Peace in West Africa: The Security and Economic Implications for Nigeria,” the symposium comes at a critical time when West Africa continues to grapple with security threats, political transitions, and economic pressures.
Buratai, who also served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, is expected to bring his extensive military and diplomatic experience to bear in steering discussions around collective security, cross-border threats, and the strategic importance of regional alliances. His leadership as Chairman of the Occasion underscores the significance attached to the symposium’s deliberations.
The event will be hosted by the Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, Haruna Musa, while the Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, will serve as Chief Host.
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, is billed as the Special Guest of Honour, adding further political weight to the gathering.
The symposium will also feature a keynote address by Nazifi Abdullahi Darma, a former Commissioner for Internal Services at the ECOWAS Commission, who is expected to provide insights into the bloc’s internal mechanisms and policy direction.
Other notable discussants include former Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Muhammed Babandede, and Professor Samaila Suleiman of the Department of History, Bayero University, Kano.
Organised by Mambayya House, Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Studies, the annual symposium remains a key intellectual platform dedicated to preserving the legacy of Aminu Kano while addressing contemporary governance and security challenges.
Analysts note that Buratai’s central role as Chairman is particularly significant given Nigeria’s frontline position in regional security dynamics. His presence is expected to shape robust conversations on how ECOWAS can better respond to insurgency, military coups, and transnational crime while strengthening economic integration among member states.
The symposium is slated to commence at 9:00 a.m., drawing participants from across government, academia, and civil society in what promises to be a timely and impactful engagement on West Africa’s future.
