LAGOS, NIGERIA – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai of Liberia joined fellow West African leaders on May 28, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), reaffirming a renewed commitment to regional unity and sustainable development.
The summit, held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs on Victoria Island, the same location where the ECOWAS treaty was first signed in 1975, brought together heads of state and government to sign a declaration highlighting the bloc’s aspirations under its new Vision 2050 framework. The leaders expressed their dedication to strengthening peace, security, democracy, and economic integration across the region.
In remarks delivered at the event, President Boakai described regional cooperation as essential to the future of West Africa. “Regional solidarity is the backbone of West Africa’s stability and development,” he said. “We stand united with our neighbors to deepen cooperation, safeguard democratic values, and secure a prosperous future for our people.”
The Liberian leader also praised ECOWAS’s role in fostering conflict resolution, promoting democratic transitions, and enabling the free movement of people and goods. He emphasized that the organization’s success over the past five decades has laid a foundation that must now be expanded through collective responsibility and stronger partnerships.
The ECOWAS Golden Jubilee Declaration, signed by member states including Liberia, Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and others, emphasized the importance of tackling urgent regional threats such as terrorism, violent extremism, climate change, and youth unemployment. The document also called on citizens, civil society, and traditional leaders to actively participate in building what leaders described as “an ECOWAS of the People.”
General Yakubu Gowon, the only surviving founding father of ECOWAS and former Nigerian Head of State, attended the ceremony, adding historical weight to the occasion. The declaration was formally endorsed in the three official languages of ECOWAS: English, French, and Portuguese.
As the regional bloc looks ahead, Vision 2050 sets out an ambitious roadmap to transform ECOWAS into a peaceful, prosperous, and people-driven community. The 50th anniversary celebration was not only a moment of reflection but also a clear call for renewed action in shaping the region’s future.
