President Bola Tinubu is set to address Nigerians in a nationwide broadcast on October 1, 2026, as the Federal Government unveils a low-key programme to mark the country’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
The government has inaugurated an Inter-Ministerial Committee to coordinate activities for the celebration, with the programme scheduled to begin on September 24 and culminate in the President’s Independence Day broadcast.
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.
According to the statement, the committee held its inaugural meeting on Thursday and was chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office, Bekearedebo Augusta Warrens.
Akume said the anniversary would provide an opportunity for Nigerians to reflect on the contributions, sacrifices and legacies of the nation’s founding fathers and heroines who fought for independence from colonial rule.
He noted that the progress recorded since independence was built on the foundation laid by the country’s nationalists.
The SGF added that the celebration would also provide an avenue for the administration to highlight its achievements and showcase ongoing efforts to reposition the country through its reform initiatives amid prevailing socio-economic challenges.
However, Akume stressed that this year’s activities would be low-key, urging members of the committee to work with urgency given the limited time before October 1.
Programme of Activities
The programme will commence 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 hold on Wednesday, September 30.
The activities will culminate in President Tinubu’s nationwide broadcast on Thursday, October 1, 2026.
Committee Membership
The Inter-Ministerial Committee is chaired by the SGF 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, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; and National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Other members include the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman; Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga; Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare; Permanent Secretary, State House, Temitope Peter Fashedemi; and Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Ibrahim Abubakar Kana.
The committee also includes the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Kachollom Daju; Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs Office, John Chidiebere Ezeamama; Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu; Director-General of the Department of State Services, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi; Commander, Guards Brigade, Adebisi Olusegun Onasanya; and Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office, Bekearedebo Augusta Warrens.
The committee’s terms of reference include planning, organising and executing approved activities for the October 1 celebration, co-opting relevant individuals and organisations, documenting the activities for posterity, and undertaking other assignments necessary for the successful implementation of the programme.
