Tinubu to Address Nigerians on October 1

President Bola Tinubu will address Nigerians in a nationwide broadcast on October 1, 2026, as the Federal Government prepares to mark the country’s 66th Independence Anniversary with a low-key celebration.

The Federal Government has inaugurated an Inter-Ministerial Committee to coordinate activities for the anniversary, with the programme scheduled to begin on September 24 and culminate in the President’s Independence Day broadcast.

The 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 him, the committee held its inaugural meeting on Thursday under the chairmanship of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office, Mrs Bekearedebo Augusta Warrens.

Akume said the anniversary would provide an opportunity for Nigerians to reflect on the contributions and sacrifices of the nation’s founding fathers and heroines who fought for independence from colonial rule.

He added that the celebration would also highlight the achievements recorded since independence and the foundation laid by the country’s nationalists.

The SGF further said the occasion would be used to showcase the achievements of the Tinubu administration and its ongoing efforts to reposition the country through various reform initiatives amid prevailing socio-economic challenges.

However, Akume stressed that this year’s activities would be conducted on a low-key basis, directing members of the committee to work with urgency ahead of October 1.

The programme will commence with a World Press Conference on Thursday, September 24, 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, while President Tinubu’s nationwide broadcast will take place on Thursday, October 1.

The Inter-Ministerial Committee comprises 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.

Others 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; Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga; and Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare.

The committee also includes relevant permanent secretaries, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu; Director-General of the Department of State Services, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi; and Commander of the Guards Brigade, Brigadier General Adebisi Olusegun Onasanya.

Its terms of reference include planning, organising and executing approved activities for the 66th Independence Anniversary, engaging relevant organisations and individuals where necessary, documenting the events and carrying out other assignments required for the successful implementation of the celebration.