The Federal Government has commenced preparations for Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary, opting for a deliberately low-key celebration on October 1, 2026.
An Inter-Ministerial Committee charged with coordinating the event held its inaugural meeting on Thursday and unveiled the official programme of activities. The Head of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Chris Ugwuegbulam, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja.
The meeting was chaired by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Senator George Akume, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office, Mrs Bekearedebo Augusta Warrens.
According to the SGF, activities will open 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 is scheduled for Wednesday, September 30, while President Bola Tinubu will deliver a nationwide broadcast on Thursday, October 1.
Akume said the anniversary offers Nigerians an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices of the nation’s founding fathers and heroines who secured independence from colonial rule. He noted that the progress recorded since 1960 rests on the foundation laid by those nationalists.
The SGF added that the celebration will also allow the administration to highlight its achievements and ongoing reforms aimed at repositioning the country amid current socio-economic challenges.
The committee, chaired by the SGF, includes the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Other members are the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman; Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga; and Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare.
Also serving on the committee are several permanent secretaries, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, the Commander of the Guards Brigade, and the Permanent Secretary of the Political and Economic Affairs Office.
The committee is tasked with planning, organising and executing all approved activities for the October 1 celebration. It may co-opt relevant organisations or individuals and is expected to document the programme for future reference.
Akume described this year’s event as low-key and urged committee members to work with urgency given the short time remaining before Independence Day.
