The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) marked its 50th anniversary with a landmark summit in Lagos, where regional leaders, diplomats, and dignitaries gathered to assess half a century of integration and cooperation — and to map a new course for the future.
Held under the theme “Stronger Together for a Brighter Future,” the golden jubilee celebration took place at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and drew participation from current and former Heads of State, the ECOWAS Commission, the African Union, and key stakeholders.
Nigeria’s President and current ECOWAS Chair, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, called for a renewed commitment to economic integration and unity among member states, noting that implementation — not just policy — must be prioritized.
“ECOWAS must stop operating on declarations alone. Now is the time for action. Our strength lies in unity, and our future depends on real progress,” Tinubu declared.
President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, outlined the organization’s key achievements over five decades — from free movement across borders to the establishment of a regional electricity market and the pursuit of a common currency. He described ECOWAS as the most integrated Regional Economic Community on the African continent and urged member states to recommit to peace, prosperity, and democratic governance.
“Despite our challenges, ECOWAS has remained a symbol of resilience and cooperation,” Touray said. “We have defended democracy, promoted human development, and supported nations through crises.”
In a deeply emotional address, General Yakubu Gowon, Nigeria’s former Head of State and one of the architects of ECOWAS, reflected on the bloc’s founding in 1975. As the only surviving signatory to the Treaty of Lagos, Gowon recalled the original vision of regional solidarity in the face of civil wars, economic hardship, and external pressures.
“To the next generation of West Africans, I say this: your future is Pan-African. Build bridges, not walls. Defend democracy. Be champions of integrity and cooperation,” Gowon charged.
African Union Commission Chairperson, Mahmoud Youssouf, represented by Deputy Chair Selma Haddadi, reaffirmed the AU’s commitment to ECOWAS’ mission. “As long as ECOWAS thrives, Africa thrives. We walk with you — not ahead or behind — but beside you,” Haddadi said.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, called the golden jubilee “an opportunity to shape a new era of prosperity,” highlighting the region’s potential in addressing global challenges such as artificial intelligence, organized crime, climate change, and extremism. He stressed the growing importance of regional cooperation in a time of global fragmentation.
“ECOWAS must now evolve into a stronger platform for multilateralism,” Tuggar said. “It’s no longer just about regional unity, but about strategic survival in a rapidly changing world.”
Despite the absence of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger — all of whom have withdrawn from the bloc amid political upheavals — the celebration struck a tone of optimism. Leaders expressed confidence in ECOWAS’ ability to adapt and remain a unifying force for peace, economic development, and democratic values in West Africa.
