A high-level roundtable marking the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Lagos has placed the spotlight firmly on pressing challenges such as poverty, insecurity, youth unemployment, and the need for stronger democratic governance.
The event which held on May 28 at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, brought together African leaders, diplomats, and representatives from the African Union and the United Nations. The gathering was co-organised by the ECOWAS Commission and Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the theme: “ECOWAS, an African model at 50.”
Participants agreed that the road ahead must focus on inclusive development. Key recommendations from the discussions included investing in job creation for young people, promoting gender empowerment, and improving regional security mechanisms.
A special summit has been proposed to map out a long-term strategic vision for ECOWAS in the coming decades.
Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, underscored the need for deeper cooperation to confront regional security threats. He stressed that the regional bloc remains a model of economic and political integration in Africa.
Ambassador Selma Malika Haddadi, Vice-President of the African Union Commission, applauded ECOWAS’s progress in fostering unity and facilitating the free movement of people, goods, and capital across the region. Similarly, UN Special Representative Leonardo Santos Simão commended the organisation’s steady diplomatic approach in engaging countries that have temporarily withdrawn from its bloc.
The anniversary also paid tribute to former Nigerian Head of State General Yakubu Gowon, the last surviving founding leader of ECOWAS, whose presence symbolised the enduring vision of West African unity. Despite ongoing political and economic challenges, leaders at the roundtable reaffirmed ECOWAS’s relevance as a driving force for regional stability and development, positioning it as a cornerstone for African integration going forward.
