World Press Conference, Public Lecture To Headline Nigeria’s 66th Independence Day Celebration

A World Press Conference and an Independence Day Public Lecture will headline the Federal Government’s schedule of events for Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary.

The World Press Conference opens the programme on Thursday, September 24, followed by a Juma’at Service on September 25 and a Church Service on September 27. The Public Lecture follows on September 30, ahead of a nationwide broadcast by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on October 1, which closes out the anniversary activities.

The schedule was announced at the inaugural meeting of an Inter-Ministerial Committee set up to plan and execute the anniversary activities, held on Thursday, September 17, 2026, in Abuja. The committee is chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.

Akume, who was represented at the meeting by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office, Bekearedebo Augusta Warrens, said the anniversary offers Nigerians an opportunity to reflect on the contributions and sacrifices of the country’s founding fathers and heroines since independence from colonial rule on October 1, 1960. He said the achievements recorded since independence were built on the foundation laid by the country’s nationalists, and that this year’s anniversary would also allow the current administration to showcase its achievements and reform efforts amid ongoing socio-economic challenges.

He added that this year’s activities would be low-key, and urged committee members to work with urgency given the limited time left before October 1.

The committee brings together senior government officials, including the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele; the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Nyesom Wike; the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; and presidential aides Hadiza Bala Usman, Bayo Onanuga and Sunday Dare.

Other members include permanent secretaries from the State House, General Services Office, Federal Ministry of Health and Cabinet Affairs Office, as well as the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu; the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi; the Commander of the Guards Brigade, Adebisi Olusegun Onasanya and Bekearedebo Augusta Warrens.

The committee’s mandate covers planning, organising and executing all approved activities for the celebration, co-opting relevant organisations or individuals where necessary, documenting the events for posterity, and carrying out any other assignments required for a successful programme.