Tinubu to Celebrate ECOWAS at 50 in Lagos

President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja on Tuesday for Lagos to participate in the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), alongside other regional leaders.

The golden jubilee celebration, which began in Accra last month, will continue in Lagos with a series of events marking the progress and achievements of the West African bloc. A symbolic reenactment of the 1975 ECOWAS declaration will take place at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island.

As Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Tinubu will deliver a keynote address at the main event scheduled to hold at Eko Hotels and Suites, highlighting five decades of regional cooperation and integration. Former Minister of External Affairs and current Chairman of the NIIA, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, is expected to give an in-depth review of ECOWAS’ journey so far, followed by a panel discussion featuring regional stakeholders.

In a historic moment, former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon (Rtd.), the only surviving signatory of the original ECOWAS declaration, will be present to participate in the ceremonies and deliver a special address. The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, will also speak at the event.

During his stay in Lagos, President Tinubu will also commission a number of key infrastructure projects and flag off new ones as part of his administration’s ongoing development agenda. He is expected to observe the Eid-el-Kabir prayers at the State House in Dodan Barracks before returning to Abuja.