The Federal Government has said Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary will be marked with low-key activities, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expected to deliver a nationwide broadcast to citizens on October 1.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, disclosed this in Abuja during the inaugural meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) set up to coordinate the anniversary celebrations.
Akume said the anniversary would offer Nigerians an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices and lasting contributions of the country’s founding fathers and heroines.
He added that the occasion would also allow the administration to showcase its ongoing reforms and achievements while acknowledging the socio-economic challenges facing the country.
The SGF, who chairs the committee, was represented at Thursday’s meeting by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office, Mrs Bekearedebo Augusta Warrens.
According to a statement on Friday by the Head, Information and Public Relations Department in the Office of the SGF, Chris Ugwuegbulam, Akume stressed that activities for the anniversary would be deliberately modest.
He urged members of the committee to work with urgency because of the limited time remaining before the October 1 anniversary.
Nigeria attained independence from British colonial rule on October 1, 1960, and this year’s commemoration marks 66 years of independence.
Akume said the anniversary should go beyond celebration to provide an opportunity for Nigerians to reflect on the contributions of the nationalists who fought for the country’s independence and laid the foundations on which subsequent national achievements were built.
He said the country’s progress since independence could not be separated from the sacrifices of its founding fathers and heroines, stressing the need to preserve their contributions while assessing Nigeria’s journey over the past 66 years.
The SGF also said the anniversary would enable the Tinubu administration to present its achievements and explain ongoing efforts to reposition the country through its reform programmes against the backdrop of current socio-economic challenges.
The low-key approach follows a similar decision by the Federal Government for the 2026 Democracy Day commemoration in June, when Akume said activities would be “modest but purposeful”.
The government has lined up five major activities for the Independence anniversary, beginning with a World Press Conference on Thursday, September 24.
This will be followed by a Juma’at Service on Friday, September 25, and a church service on Sunday, September 27.
An Independence Day Public Lecture will hold on Wednesday, September 30, while activities will climax on Thursday, October 1, with President Tinubu’s nationwide broadcast.
The government had also established an inter-ministerial committee for the 65th Independence anniversary in 2025, charging it with planning, organising and executing approved activities for the national commemoration.
The newly inaugurated committee is chaired by Akume and includes the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; and Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.
Others are the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman; Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga; and Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications, Chief Sunday Dare.
Also on the committee are Permanent Secretary, State House, Engr. Temitope Peter Fashedemi; Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Dr Ibrahim Abubakar Kana; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Ms Kachollom Daju; Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs Office, Dr John Chidiebere Ezeamama; Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu; and Director-General of the Department of State Services, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi.
Commander of the Guards Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Adebisi Olusegun Onasanya, and Warrens are also members.
Akume said the committee had been mandated to plan, organise and execute all approved activities for the October 1 celebration and could co-opt organisations or individuals considered necessary for the successful implementation of the programme.
It is also expected to document activities connected with the anniversary for posterity and undertake other assignments required to ensure a successful commemoration.
