The Federal Government of Nigeria has inaugurated an Inter‑Ministerial Committee to organise the country’s 66th Independence Day celebrations, with President Bola Tinubu slated to address the nation in a nationwide broadcast on 1 October 2026. The programme, described as “low‑key,” will unfold through a series of events beginning on 24 September.
The committee’s inaugural meeting was held on Thursday, according to a statement released by Chris Ugwuegbulam, head of the Information and Public Relations Department in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF). The meeting was chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who was represented by Permanent Secretary of the Political and Economic Affairs Office, Mrs Bekearedebo Augusta Warrens.
Senator Akume said the anniversary provides an opportunity for Nigerians to reflect on the contributions, sacrifices and enduring legacies of the nation’s founding fathers and heroines, and to showcase the administration’s reform initiatives against a backdrop of socio‑economic challenges.
The schedule announced by the SGF includes a World Press Conference on 24 September, a Juma’at Service on 25 September, a Church Service on 27 September, an Independence Day Public Lecture on 30 September, and the presidential broadcast on 1 October. The SGF emphasized that, given the limited time, committee members must work with urgency to deliver the programme.
Committee membership
- Chairman: Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume
- 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, Amb Bianca Odumegwu‑Ojukwu
- Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Barr Nyesom Wike
- Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, CON
- National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu
- Special Advisers to the President: Hadiza Bala Usman (Policy Coordination), Mr Bayo Onanuga (Information and Strategy), Chief Sunday Dare (Media and Public Communications)
- Inspector‑General of Police, Mr Olatunji Disu
- Director‑General, Department of State Services, Mr Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi
- Commander, Guards Brigade, Brig Gen Adebisi Olusegun Onasanya
- Various Permanent Secretaries and senior officials as listed in the full release
The committee’s terms of reference include planning, organising and executing all approved activities for the October 1 celebration, co‑opting relevant organisations or individuals, documenting the events for posterity, and undertaking any other assignments required to ensure a successful commemoration.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
