If ECOWAS was one nation called the Federal Republic Of West Africa, it will have a land area of 5,114,162 km2, making it the 7th largest country in the world (almost 2 times larger than India).

It will have an estimated population of 340 million people, making it the 3rd most populous country in the world (larger than U.S).

It will have a nominal GDP of approximately $700 billion (19th largest in the world and 1st largest in africa), and a GDP PPP of $1.5 Trillion (also 19th and 1st largest). Its per capita income at GDP PPP will be $4500 (17th in Africa).

If ECOWAS comes together as one country, we would have a single, large and diverse Military, which means that despotic leaders will no longer be able to use the military to target ethnic groups they hate.
We would have a single currency which would invariably be the most traded in Africa.
We would no longer have coups in West Africa because it will be hard for top military officials of the very ethnic and religiously diverse nation to agree on a coup.
We would no longer have a dominant ethnic group or religion, what we will have instead is a dominant state (Nigeria).
We would have 3 official languages of English, French and Poturguese, making us the nation that speaks the most number of global languages in the world.
Nigerians would no longer be ejected in Ghana legally.

If ECOWAS was one nation, it will be by far the most powerful nation or empire ever in Africa.

What do you think of this?

We can be the biggest african empire only if the leaders of said state are serious and principled on building up said state. Otherwise, this would just be one massive lump of poverty. We must also consider the fact that other states such as Mali, Niger and others are seriously poor compared to the likes of Nigeria and Ghana. The leaders would have to be committed to developing those regions otherwise there would be a massive exodus of Malians, Nigeriens or whoever to places such as Southern Nigeria and metropolitan Ghana.

We've not managed 36 states, ECOWAS as a single country will last 2 hours before implosion.

NnamdiN:
We've not managed 36 states, ECOWAS as a single country will last 2 hours before implosion.

hahaha...but it depends on the level of integration tho.

If the president of ecowas (or west african republic) is only in control of military, small federal police, single currency, diplomacy and customs ...no much tension will be witnessed.

Bolowolowo:
We can be the biggest african empire only if the leaders of said state are serious and principled on building up said state. Otherwise, this would just be one massive lump of poverty. We must also consider the fact that other states such as Mali, Niger and others are seriously poor compared to the likes of Nigeria and Ghana. The leaders would have to be committed to developing those regions otherwise there would be a massive exodus of Malians, Nigeriens or whoever to places such as Southern Nigeria and metropolitan Ghana.

u are right. But i believe that immigration and emigration is normal within a nation. It helps realign wealth. Many black americans left the south in millions to move up north to states like new york..it helped bring blacks out of poverty without harming the economy of the states they moved to.

Plus there are already millions of malians and nigeriens in nigeria and ghana if u dont know. Do we have border in ecowas? Bcoming one country will only legalise wat has been happening since

selemempe:
hahaha...but it depends on the level of integration tho.

If the president of ecowas (or west african republic) is only in control of military, small federal police, single currency, diplomacy and customs ...no much tension will be witnessed.

integration will never work. Currently Nigerians are disliked everywhere...

NnamdiN:
integration will never work. Currently Nigerians are disliked everywhere...

igbos are disliked by hausa ppl and yoruba but we are in one nigeria. Whites hate blacks in u.s but they are one.

In india, there is a caste system...and they hate each other passionately...but they are the nxt economic power to rise.

We might be hated as nigerians but if ecowas is one country, nigeria will benefit the most. We can now legally live and work anywhere in west africa without suffocating ourselves in an over crowded nigeria. Even if other west africans hate us, they cannot legally deport us or deny us jobs ...nigeria wins

How many military coups would have taken place since 1960 ?
Benin had at least 10 if I'm not making any mistake.
Burkina Faso six ( 6)
Mali three ( 3)
Then add Ghana, Nigeria, Bissau Guinea etc.

panafrican:
How many military coups would have taken place since 1960 ?
Benin had at least 10 if I'm not making any mistake.
Burkina Faso six ( 6)
Mali three ( 3)
Then add Ghana, Nigeria, Bissau Guinea etc.

those coups were possible because of one ethnic group dominating others in these countries u mentioned. Which ethnic group can clearly dominate in west africa? Which ethnic group will produce the coup leader? Hausa? And the Asantis will keep quiet?

I dont think it would work. Use Nigeria as an example. I think the major problem we are facing in Africa is that we are too different. The language, tribe,religion e.t.c

Fash20:
I dont think it would work. Use Nigeria as an example. I think the major problem we are facing in Africa is that we are too different. The language, tribe,religion e.t.c

but EU with diverse language at least is working...we may never know sha if ecowas can work but at least waec is working and we can adopt one currency

It can only work if I'm "selected" as the President. By the time my laws kill 30million of the entire population, trust me - others will sit up.

Nigeria cannot thrive & progress under a capitalist democratic rule, It is communist-democracy all the way!

Zoharariel:
It can only work if I'm "selected" as the President. By the time my laws kill 30million of the entire population, trust me - others will sit up.

Nigeria cannot thrive & progress under a capitalist democratic rule, It is communist-democracy all the way!

the world has gone past the time of communists and dictators...plus president of a hypothetical west africa will only have limited powers...mostly on foreign policy, and currency

Zoharariel:
It can only work if I'm "selected" as the President. By the time my laws kill 30million of the entire population, trust me - others will sit up.

selemempe:
but EU with diverse language at least is working...we may never know sha if ecowas can work but at least waec is working and we can adopt one currency

You cannot compare the diversity of language,culture and religion of Africa to that of EU. For us to form a union that will be as successful as the EU we must at least be ready tolerate other people differences(language,religion etc). Now one of the major problem majority of African countries are facing is Intolerance(Nigeria as an example).

Fash20:


You cannot compare the diversity of language,culture and religion of Africa to that of EU. For us to form a union that will be as successful as the EU we must at least be ready tolerate other people differences(language,religion etc). Now one of the major problem majority of African countries are facing is Intolerance(Nigeria as an example).

that is true..but i believe that if formed now or within the nxt 30 years, ecowas as a country will succeed. We have all learnt bitterly the results of intolerance.

Plus the influence of the center will be limited to military foreign affairs currency and customs

If Ecowas were a country the few who would be qualified to president would be
1. General Buhari, a man of honor and integrity. He also is a great patriot.

2. President Mugabe. Great panafricanist.
Great patriot.
His wife was from Ghana. She passed away long time ago, but this marriage still makes him a West African . Moreover he lived in Ghana for a long time when Nkruma was in power.

3. Jerry Rawlings of Ghana. Great patriot, man of honor and integrity. His policies brought Ghana back from a failed statehood to a booming economy.

4.Really don't see anyone else.

panafrican:
If Ecowas were a country the few who would be qualified to president would be
1. General Buhari, a man of honor and integrity. He also is a great patriot.

2. President Mugabe. Great panafricanist.
Great patriot.
His wife was from Ghana. She passed away long time ago, but this marriage still makes him a West African . Moreover he lived in Ghana for a long time when Nkruma was in power.

3. Jerry Rawlings of Ghana. Great patriot, man of honor and integrity. His policies brought Ghana back from a failed statehood to a booming economy.

4.Really don't see anyone else.

you never heard Thomas Sankara of bourkina faso . Another state man in west Africa that was killed by the power hungry French.

vaxx:
you never heard Thomas Sankara of bourkina faso . Another state man in west Africa that was killed by the power hungry French.

You are right. Unfortunately he was killed. Capitain Thomas Sankara was the man.

panafrican:
If Ecowas were a country the few who would be qualified to president would be
1. General Buhari, a man of honor and integrity. He also is a great patriot.

2. President Mugabe. Great panafricanist.
Great patriot.
His wife was from Ghana. She passed away long time ago, but this marriage still makes him a West African . Moreover he lived in Ghana for a long time when Nkruma was in power.

3. Jerry Rawlings of Ghana. Great patriot, man of honor and integrity. His policies brought Ghana back from a failed statehood to a booming economy.

4.Really don't see anyone else.

Buhari has no integrity...pls dont derail the thread. Apart from Rawlings, the rest are ruining their countries.

selemempe:
Buhari has no integrity...pls dont derail the thread. Apart from Rawlings, the rest are ruining their countries.

Not true.
The rampant corruption culture in Nigeria is not Buhari's fault. He cannot be the police officer at every corner of the road,, he cannot be the custom guard everywhere or the civil servant in all offices across this huge country with almost 200 million people.
The only problem with Nigeria (and Africa in general) is this delusional need for "democracy" and separation of powers that prevents the man in charge from sending crooked folks before a firing squad.
Had at least 40,000 crooked people faced a firing squad in Nigeria over a 4-year period, you can bet this country would have been lifted and would be striving today.
Rawlings understood that, reason why he taught a lesson to Ghanaians.
Let's all keep in mind a United Africa is doomed if we don't uproot corruption.

panafrican:
Not true.
The rampant corruption culture in Nigeria is not Buhari's fault. He cannot be the police officer at every corner of the road,, he cannot be the custom guard everywhere or the civil servant in all offices across this huge country with almost 200 million people.
The only problem with Nigeria (and Africa in general) is this delusional need for "democracy" and separation of powers that prevents the man in charge from sending crooked folks before a firing squad.
Had at least 40,000 crooked people faced a firing squad in Nigeria over a 4-year period, you can bet this country would have been lifted and would be striving today.
Rawlings understood that, reason why he taught a lesson to Ghanaians.
Let's all keep in mind a United Africa is doomed if we don't uproot corruption.

everything u said is true...but the idea that buhari has integrity is FALSE.

What is integrity?
How does Buhari have it?

People are dying because of poor hospitals..he is in u.k receiving the best medical care...he has been president for 3 yrs...wat has he done for the medical sector?

How does buhari have integrity? Obj put more vips in prison than buhari has done in his 5 yr rule in this country...yet nobody is calling obj a man of integrity.

How does buhari have integrity when he has been championing mundane ideas like sharia and violence since 1999....Go and tell families who lost loved ones because he lost in 2011 that buhati has integrity..forgeting the country is multi ethnic and secular?

How does a man who orchestrated a coup against a civilian govt have integrity.

A man whose kids are married to billionaires and all schooled abroad. A man living in a mansion in abuja? U think he was getting money to vie for president 4 times from Holy Spirit?

Buharis integrity is political propaganda...not real.