President Bola Tinubu will address Nigerians in a nationwide broadcast on October 1, 2026, as the Federal Government prepares to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary with a low-key programme of activities.
The Federal Government announced the programme following the inauguration of an Inter-Ministerial Committee charged with coordinating activities for the anniversary.
The committee held its inaugural meeting in Abuja on Thursday and is chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume. Akume was represented at the meeting by the Permanent Secretary of the Political and Economic Affairs Office, Mrs Bekearedebo Augusta Warrens.
Chris Ugwuegbulam, Head of the Information and Public Relations Department in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, disclosed details of the programme in a statement issued in Abuja.
FG Releases October 1 Independence Programme
According to Akume, Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary will provide an opportunity to reflect on the contributions, sacrifices and legacies of the country’s founding fathers and heroines who played roles in the struggle for independence from colonial rule.
He said the country’s achievements since independence were built on the foundation laid by the nationalists who worked for self-rule.
The SGF also said the anniversary would provide an opportunity for the Federal Government to highlight its achievements and ongoing reform initiatives amid the socio-economic challenges confronting the country.
However, Akume said the 2026 celebration would be low-key, while directing members of the committee to work with urgency because of the limited time remaining before October 1.
The approved programme will begin with a World Press Conference on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
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, ahead of President Tinubu’s nationwide broadcast on Thursday, October 1.
President Tinubu’s October 1 address will serve as the final major event listed in the Federal Government’s official anniversary programme.
The broadcast is expected to form part of the government’s commemoration of Nigeria’s independence and provide an opportunity for the President to speak to citizens on the occasion.
The Federal Government has not, in the announcement cited above, provided details of the specific issues Tinubu will address in the broadcast.
The Inter-Ministerial Committee brings together senior government officials, including 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.
Also listed 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; and Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Other members include Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare; Permanent Secretary, State House, Temitope Peter Fashedemi; Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Ibrahim Abubakar Kana; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Kachollom Daju; and Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs Office, John Chidiebere Ezeamama.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu; Director-General of the Department of State Services, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi; Commander of the Guards Brigade, Brigadier General Adebisi Olusegun Onasanya; and Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office, Bekearedebo Augusta Warrens, are also members.
The committee has been mandated to plan, organise and execute approved activities for the October 1 celebration.
Its responsibilities also include bringing in relevant organisations or individuals where necessary, documenting the activities for future reference and handling any other assignments required for the successful implementation of the anniversary programme.
Nigeria became independent from British colonial rule on October 1, 1960. The 2026 celebration will therefore mark 66 years since independence.
With the Federal Government choosing a low-key format, the scheduled religious services, public lecture and President Tinubu’s October 1 broadcast will form the central elements of this year’s official programme.
