Gowon, Tinubu, and West African Leaders Celebrate ECOWAS 50th Anniversary

 Former Nigerian Head of State General Yakubu Gowon joined President Bola Tinubu and other West African leaders in Lagos on May 28, 2025, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), founded on May 28, 1975.

The milestone event, held at Tafawa Balewa Square, highlighted ECOWAS’s contributions to regional integration, peace, and economic development across its 15 member states. Gowon, a key figure in ECOWAS’s formation, was honored for his role in fostering West African unity, with Tinubu praising his vision as foundational to the bloc’s success.

The celebration featured a summit attended by leaders like Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo and Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, focusing on challenges like terrorism, coups, and trade barriers. Tinubu, as ECOWAS Chairman, unveiled initiatives to strengthen the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and enhance security cooperation, particularly in the Sahel. He also commissioned the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, a project symbolizing regional connectivity. Gowon called for renewed commitment to ECOWAS’s principles, urging leaders to prioritize youth empowerment and democratic stability.

The event drew praise for its symbolism but faced criticism over its cost amid Nigeria’s economic challenges. Protests by civil society groups outside the venue demanded action on poverty and insecurity. The anniversary underscored ECOWAS’s resilience despite setbacks like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger’s partial withdrawal. The summit concluded with a commitment to deepen integration, with Nigeria pledging continued leadership. The presence of Gowon and Tinubu highlighted Nigeria’s pivotal role in ECOWAS’s past and future.