President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja on Tuesday for Lagos to join other leaders in commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The golden jubilee of ECOWAS, which was formally launched in Accra in April 2025, continues with events in Lagos this week.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, titled ‘President Tinubu departs for Lagos to mark ECOWAS’ 50th anniversary, commission projects.’
According to the statement, one of the highlights of the Lagos programme will be a reenactment of the 1975 ECOWAS declaration at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island.
During a separate ceremony at Eko Hotels and Suites, President Tinubu, who currently serves as Chairman of ECOWAS, will speak on the achievements of the regional economic bloc.
Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, Chairman of the NIIA and former Minister of External Affairs, will present a review of ECOWAS’s 50-year history, to be followed by a panel discussion.
The only surviving Head of State who signed the original ECOWAS declaration, General Yakubu Gowon (retd.), will participate in all the events and deliver an address at Eko Hotels.
Also Read: Gowon Urges ECOWAS to Stay True to Founding Ideals on 50th Anniversary
Dr Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, is expected to give the welcome address.
While in Lagos, President Tinubu will also commission a number of federal projects on Saturday, 31 May. These include Section I of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Lekki Deep Sea Port Tax Credit Concrete Road, the flag-off of Section II of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, and the 7th Axial Road.
He will also commission, virtually, the Kano-Kanwar-Danja-Hadejia Section II Road and the Yakasai-Zalli Road. Additionally, he will flag off the Kano Northern Bypass, Zaria-Hunkuyi-Dabai Section I, Dabai-Kafur-Malumfashi, and Malumfashi-Dayi-Yashe-Gidan Mutum Daya Section III.
President Tinubu is expected to observe the Eid-el-Kabir prayers at the State House, Dodan Barracks, before returning to Abuja.
