The journey of a million miles begin with the first humble step taken is a well known adage and dictum in African, thus, this paper setting out to examine the humble odyssey (journey) of west African states toward regional integration. The economic community of West African states (Ecowas) was the end result of the odyssey that started way back into the period of the fight for independence and was meant to bring the benefits of integration to the West African sub region. The envisaged benefits had remain within the realm of illusion, as the journey so far is experiencing wobbling and fumbling thus the question whether the odyssey was indeed necessary and if so, what are the factor militating against the union (Ecowas). The attempt at proffering answers to the questions led the paper to several conclusions that includes the fragmentation and division of the sub region into pocket of small states and the continued allegiance of these states to their colonial masters had remain problematic and an obstacle towards the west African sub region ripping the full benefits of integration, thus, the recommendations canvass herein.