Ecowas At 50: Achievements and Prospects, 1975–2025

Abstract

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was fifty years old on May 28, 2025 which marks Golden Jubilee of ECOWAS. Nigeria and Togo played significant roles in the formation of ECOWAS. This was through the efforts of General Yakubu Gowon of Nigeria and his Togolese counterpart, Gnasingbé Eyadéma. ECOWAS has evolved and remain strong since its formation. ECOWAS has never experienced any setback that leads to its collapse, the organization has remained strong since its formation in 1975. The study found out that at inception the organization was mainly for economic, self-reliance and cooperation of all countries in West Africa. However, issues of security became imperative due to the prevalence of conflict in the region and the fact that economic activities cannot operates in an environment of chaos. Issues of security resulted in several reforms including the creation of the protocol on aggression in 1978, the 1981 Mutual Assistance on Defense (MAD) and finally the 1993 revised treaty of ECOWAS. These reforms have shaped the organization from an intergovernmental organization to a supranational organization. As West Africans marked and celebrate 50 years of the existence of its regional organization, the ECOWAS, this article X-rays the history, change and continuity of ECOWAS, it's challenges and prospect in the 21st century