President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to depart Abuja on Tuesday for Lagos to participate in the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), where he currently serves as Chairman.
The golden jubilee events, which began last month in Accra, Ghana, will continue in Lagos with a series of high-profile activities. Notably, a symbolic reenactment of the 1975 ECOWAS declaration will take place at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Victoria Island. During his visit, President Tinubu will deliver a keynote address at Eko Hotels and Suites, reflecting on the achievements and milestones of ECOWAS over the past five decades. He will be joined by General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd), the only surviving founding signatory of the original ECOWAS treaty, who will also participate in various commemorative events.
The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, is scheduled to deliver the welcome address, followed by a review of the regional organization’s 50-year journey by Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, former Minister of External Affairs and current NIIA Chairman. This will be followed by a panel discussion featuring notable experts.
In addition to the anniversary events, President Tinubu will commission several key infrastructure projects on Saturday, May 31. These projects include Section I of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Lekki Deep Sea Port Tax Credit Concrete Road, and the flag-off of Section II of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. He will also oversee the commissioning of the 7th Axial Road and virtually commission significant northern road infrastructure projects, including the Kano-Kanwar-Danja-Hadejiya Section II Road and the Kano Northern By-pass.
Before returning to Abuja, President Tinubu is expected to observe Eid-el-Kabir prayers at the State House Mosque, Dodan Barracks. These anniversary events highlight Nigeria’s leadership role in regional integration and development, as well as the Tinubu administration’s focus on continental diplomacy and critical infrastructure delivery.
