ECOWAS at 50: Gowon, Tinubu Lead Commemorative Card Signing at Historic Anniversary Event

Former Nigerian Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Wednesday, participated in the ceremonial signing of a commemorative card to mark the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The symbolic event took place at the conference chamber of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Lagos—the same venue where the original ECOWAS treaty was signed in 1975. The occasion was steeped in historical significance and drew regional and international attention.

General Gowon, the sole surviving leader among the original signatories of the ECOWAS treaty, received special recognition for his foundational role in championing regional cooperation and integration across West Africa. His presence underscored the enduring vision of the bloc’s founding fathers.

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Joining the celebration were the Presidents of Liberia, Togo, and Guinea-Bissau, who collectively issued a declaration renewing their commitment to the core ideals and shared goals of ECOWAS, including peace, stability, and economic development.

While leaders of other member states were represented at the gathering, the absence of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso was notable. The three countries, currently under military regimes, have formally withdrawn from ECOWAS following disputes over the bloc’s stance on democratic governance and constitutional order.

The commemorative ceremony, which is continuing at the Eko Hotel and Suites, forms part of a series of activities planned to celebrate five decades of ECOWAS’s efforts to foster unity and progress across the West African region.