FG Inaugurates Committee for Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary

The Federal Government has inaugurated an Inter-Ministerial Committee to coordinate activities for Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary, with this year’s celebrations planned to be low-key.

The committee was inaugurated on Thursday, September 17, 2026, in Abuja, with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, serving as chairman.

Akume, who was represented at the inaugural meeting by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office, Mrs Bekearedebo Augusta Warrens, said the anniversary would provide an opportunity for Nigerians to reflect on the contributions and sacrifices of the country’s founding fathers and heroines.

He said Nigeria’s achievements since independence were built on the foundation laid by the nationalists who worked for the country’s independence from colonial rule.

The SGF also said the anniversary would allow the Federal Government to highlight the achievements of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration and its reform efforts against the backdrop of the socio-economic challenges facing the country.

According to him, the activities will be conducted on a low-key basis, while members of the committee have been urged to work with urgency because of the limited time before October 1.

The programme will begin with a World Press Conference on September 24, followed by a Juma’at Service on September 25 and a Church Service on September 27.

An Independence Day Public Lecture is scheduled for September 30, while President Tinubu is expected to deliver a nationwide broadcast on October 1.

The 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; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; and Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.

Others include National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, 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, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu and Director-General of the Department of State Services, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi.

The committee is responsible for planning, organising and executing approved activities for the anniversary, documenting the celebrations and carrying out other assignments necessary for their implementation.

The Federal Government has held similar inter-ministerial arrangements ahead of previous Independence anniversaries. In 2025, for example, the government also inaugurated a committee led by Akume to coordinate activities marking Nigeria’s 65th anniversary.