President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja today for Lagos to participate in events commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The visit will also include the commissioning of key development projects in Nigeria’s commercial capital.
The golden jubilee celebrations, which commenced last month in Accra, will feature a symbolic re-enactment of the historic 1975 ECOWAS declaration at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Victoria Island. As current ECOWAS Chairman, President Tinubu is scheduled to deliver a keynote address at Eko Hotels and Suites, highlighting the regional bloc’s milestones and achievements over five decades.
The anniversary events will bring together notable figures including General Yakubu Gowon (retired), the sole surviving signatory of the original ECOWAS declaration, who will deliver a special address. Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, Chairman of NIIA and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, will present a comprehensive review of ECOWAS’ journey, followed by expert panel discussions analyzing the regional body’s evolution. Dr. Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, will give the official welcome address.
According to a statement by Presidential Special Adviser on Information & Strategy Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu’s Lagos itinerary includes commissioning several projects on Saturday, May 31. The President will also observe Eid-el-Kabir prayers in Lagos before returning to Abuja, concluding his working visit to the nation’s economic hub.
The dual-purpose visit underscores Nigeria’s continued leadership role in the West African subregion while demonstrating the administration’s commitment to delivering tangible development projects across the country. The ECOWAS anniversary events will blend ceremonial reflections with forward-looking discussions about the regional body’s future trajectory.
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