BREAKING: President Tinubu to Lead ECOWAS 50th Anniversary in Lagos, Commission Key Infrastructure Projects -

By Usman A Harande

Abuja, Nigeria – In a significant diplomatic engagement, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to depart Abuja for Lagos today, May 27, 2025, to participate in the 50th-anniversary celebrations of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). As the current Chairman of ECOWAS, President Tinubu will lead the festivities, marking a major milestone in the region’s history.

The golden jubilee celebrations, which commenced in Accra last month, will feature a series of events in Lagos, including a reenactment of the 1975 declaration at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Victoria Island. At the Eko Hotels and Suites event, President Tinubu will highlight the economic bloc’s achievements and milestones, alongside other dignitaries.

Notably, General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd), the only surviving Head of State who signed the ECOWAS declaration, will participate in the ceremonies and deliver a keynote speech. Dr. Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, will deliver the welcome address, while Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, Chairman of the NIIA and former Minister of External Affairs, will review the bloc’s 50-year journey.

In addition to the anniversary celebrations, President Tinubu will commission several key infrastructure projects on May 31, including:

Section I of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway
Lekki Deep Sea Port Tax Credit Concrete Road
Flag-off of Section II of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway
7th Axial Road

The President will also virtually commission the Kano-Kanwar-Danja-Hadejiya Section II Road and Yakasai-Zalli Road, and flag off the Kano Northern By-pass, Zaria-Hunkuyi-Dabai Section I, Dabai-Kafur Malumfashi, and Malumfashi-Dayi-Yashe-Gidan Mutum Daya Section III.

Before returning to Abuja, President Tinubu will observe the Eid-el-Kabir prayers at the State House, Dodan Barracks.

The ECOWAS 50th anniversary celebrations mark a significant milestone in regional integration and cooperation. Since its inception in 1975, ECOWAS has played a crucial role in promoting economic growth, peace, and stability in West Africa. The celebrations will provide a platform for leaders to reflect on past achievements and chart a way forward for the region’s future development.

The infrastructure projects to be commissioned by President Tinubu are expected to boost economic growth, improve transportation networks, and enhance the quality of life for citizens in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria.