LAGOS — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will arrive in Lagos on Tuesday to lead the Nigerian leg of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) 50th anniversary celebration and commission major infrastructure projects, including the much-anticipated Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
The golden jubilee of the regional bloc, first flagged off in Accra last month, continues in Nigeria with a symbolic reenactment of the original 1975 ECOWAS declaration scheduled to take place at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Victoria Island. The choice of Lagos is especially significant, as it was one of the birthplaces of the ECOWAS vision.
At the Eko Hotels and Suites, President Tinubu—who currently chairs the regional bloc—will deliver a keynote address celebrating ECOWAS’ achievements over five decades. His remarks will focus on the bloc’s impact on trade, security cooperation, and regional diplomacy.
Joining the celebration is General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd), Nigeria’s former Head of State and the last surviving leader among those who signed the founding treaty in 1975. Gowon is expected to deliver a special address, adding historical context to the event.
Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, former Minister of External Affairs and Chairman of the NIIA Governing Council, will offer a deep dive into ECOWAS’ 50-year journey. His presentation will be followed by a panel discussion involving leading scholars and regional experts. Dr Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, will give the welcome address.
Saturday, May 31, will see President Tinubu shift focus to infrastructure development, with the commissioning of several key projects. Most notable is Section I of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, a flagship project under his administration aimed at transforming connectivity along Nigeria’s southern corridor. Also on the agenda are the Lekki Deep Sea Port Tax Credit Concrete Road and the official flag-off of Section II of the coastal highway, along with the 7th Axial Road.
In a virtual commissioning ceremony, Tinubu will inaugurate road projects across the North, including the Kano-Kanwar-Danja-Hadejiya Section II, Yakasai-Zalli Road, Kano Northern By-pass, and segments of the Zaria-Hunkuyi-Dabai and Malumfashi-Dayi-Gidan Mutum Daya roads.
The President will observe Eid-el-Kabir prayers at Dodan Barracks before returning to Abuja, capping off a week blending diplomacy, development, and spiritual observance.
