Tinubu Heads to Lagos for ECOWAS Golden Jubilee, Mega Project Commissioning

Lagos, Nigeria – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to arrive in Lagos tomorrow, Tuesday, May 27, 2025, to headline the 50th-anniversary celebrations of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The momentous occasion, which commenced last month in Accra, Ghana, will see the Chairman of ECOWAS commemorate five decades of regional integration and cooperation, alongside other West African leaders.

The Lagos leg of the ECOWAS golden jubilee is packed with significant events, beginning with a symbolic reenactment of the 1975 ECOWAS declaration at the historic Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Victoria Island. This hallowed ground, steeped in diplomatic history, will also host a review of ECOWAS’s 50-year journey by Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, Chairman of the NIIA and former Minister of External Affairs. A panel discussion will follow, providing in-depth analysis of the bloc’s trajectory.

A highlight of the celebrations will be the main event at Eko Hotels and Suites, where President Tinubu will deliver a keynote address, spotlighting ECOWAS’s pivotal achievements in peacekeeping, economic integration, democratic transitions, and regional development. A poignant moment is anticipated as General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd), the only surviving Head of State who signed the original ECOWAS treaty, will participate in all ceremonies and deliver a speech, offering a unique perspective on the bloc’s foundational years. Dr. Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, will deliver the welcome address.

Beyond the ECOWAS festivities, President Tinubu’s visit to Lagos is also marked by a robust schedule of project commissioning, underscoring his administration’s commitment to infrastructure development. On Saturday, May 31, the President will officially inaugurate critical projects, including Section I of the ambitious Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. This initial 30-kilometer stretch, part of a 47.47-kilometer first phase, is expected to significantly improve connectivity between Victoria Island and the Lekki-Ajah corridor, easing traffic and boosting economic activities. The project has seen over N15 billion disbursed in compensation to affected property owners.

Also on the commissioning agenda in Lagos are the Lekki Deep Sea Port Tax Credit Concrete Road and the 7th Axial Road, a vital evacuation corridor linking the Lekki Deep Seaport to major transportation routes serving southern and northern Nigeria. The President will also flag off Section II of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, signaling the continuation of this transformative project.

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In a display of nationwide development, President Tinubu will virtually commission several completed road projects across northern Nigeria. These include the Kano-Kanwar-Danja-Hadejiya Section II Road and the Yakasai-Zalli Road. Furthermore, he will virtually flag off the Kano Northern By-pass, a crucial 38-kilometer road with 10 bridges and multiple flyovers that has seen long-standing disputes resolved to allow for its continuation. Other projects to be flagged off include the Zaria-Hunkuyi-Dabai Section I, Dabai-Kafur Malumfashi, and Malumfashi-Dayi-Yashe-Gidan Mutum Daya Section III roads, all aimed at enhancing regional connectivity and economic growth.

President Tinubu is expected to observe the Eid-el-Kabir prayers at the State House, Dodan Barracks, before returning to Abuja, concluding a visit that blends regional diplomacy with significant national development initiatives.