President Bola Tinubu is set to address Nigerians in a nationwide broadcast on October 1, 2026, as the Federal Government prepares a low-key celebration to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
The Federal Government has inaugurated an Inter-Ministerial Committee to coordinate the anniversary programme, which will begin on September 24 and end with the President’s broadcast on Independence Day.
The Head of the Information and Public Relations Department 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.
He said the committee held its inaugural meeting on Thursday, with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, serving as chairman. Akume was represented at the meeting by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office (PEAO), Mrs Bekearedebo Augusta Warrens.
According to the SGF, the anniversary is an opportunity for Nigerians to remember the sacrifices and contributions of the nation’s founding fathers and heroines who played key roles in the struggle for independence.
He said the progress recorded by the country since independence was built on the foundation laid by the nationalists who fought for self-rule.
Akume added that the anniversary would also provide an opportunity for the administration to highlight its achievements and ongoing reforms aimed at repositioning the country amid prevailing socio-economic challenges.
He, however, disclosed that the 2026 celebration would be low-key, directing members of the committee to work with urgency due to the limited time available before October 1.
The programme will kick off with a World Press Conference on Thursday, September 24, followed by a Juma’at Service on Friday, September 25.
A Church Service is scheduled for Sunday, September 27, while an Independence Day Public Lecture will take place on Wednesday, September 30.
The activities will culminate in President Tinubu’s nationwide broadcast on Thursday, October 1.
The committee comprises the SGF as chairman, alongside the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr 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; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; and National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
Other members include the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman; Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga; Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Chief Sunday Dare; Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu; Director-General of the Department of State Services, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi; and other senior government officials.
The committee is mandated to plan, organise and execute all approved activities for the anniversary, co-opt relevant organisations and individuals where necessary, document the events for posterity and undertake any other assignment required for the successful implementation of the celebration.
