Tinubu to Address Nigerians
President Bola Tinubu will address Nigerians on October 1, 2026, as part of activities planned to mark the country’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
The Federal Government has set up an Inter-Ministerial Committee to coordinate this year’s anniversary programme, with the celebration scheduled to be held on a low-key basis.
The committee was inaugurated during a meeting held on Thursday and chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
He was represented at the meeting by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office, Bekearedebo Augusta Warrens.
The development was disclosed on Friday by Chris Ugwuegbulam, Head of the Information and Public Relations Department in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
The Federal Government said the anniversary would provide an opportunity for Nigerians to remember the contributions and sacrifices of the leaders who played roles in the struggle for independence from colonial rule.
The government also plans to use the occasion to present some of the achievements of the Tinubu administration and its ongoing reform efforts amid the economic and social challenges facing the country.
However, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation directed members of the committee to ensure that the anniversary activities remain low-key.
He also urged the members to work quickly because of the limited period remaining before the October 1 celebration.
The 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 has also been scheduled for Wednesday, September 30, ahead of the main anniversary on Thursday, October 1.
The anniversary will culminate in a nationwide broadcast by President Tinubu to Nigerians on Independence Day.
The Inter-Ministerial Committee is made up of senior government officials from different ministries, departments and agencies. Members include 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.
Others on the committee 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.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, is also a member, alongside other permanent secretaries and security officials.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu; Director-General of the Department of State Services, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi; and Commander of the Guards Brigade, Adebisi Olusegun Onasanya, are also part of the committee.
The committee is responsible for planning and coordinating all approved activities for the 2026 Independence Day celebration.
It is also expected to bring in other individuals or organisations where necessary, keep records of the activities and carry out other duties required for the successful conduct of the anniversary.
Nigeria gained independence from British colonial rule on October 1, 1960.
The 2026 celebration will therefore mark 66 years since the country became an independent nation.
