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Nigeria at 66: live updates from Independence week
Prayers, a world press conference and a public lecture lead up to President Tinubu's nationwide broadcast on Thursday, 1 October.
By John Christian Mmaduabuchi, Chief Editor
· · Video
The gist in 30 seconds
- President Tinubu will address the nation on Thursday, 1 October
- A public lecture holds on Wednesday, 30 September
- Prayers and church services have been held in Abuja
Updated 18:24 WAT, 30 Sep 2026: The Federal Government has declared Thursday, 1 October, a public holiday.
Updated 10:06 WAT, 30 Sep 2026: President Tinubu returned to Lagos on Tuesday evening after a month in London and Paris, and will mark the anniversary in the city.
Nigeria marks 66 years of independence on Thursday, 1 October. The Federal Government has kept this year’s programme low-key: a world press conference, prayers and church services, a public lecture and a nationwide broadcast by President Bola Tinubu. It has also declared Thursday a public holiday, Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo announced on Wednesday, according to a government statement reported by Channels TV.
President Bola Tinubu landed at the Presidential Wing of Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Tuesday evening, ending a month in London and Paris. Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Speaker Tajudeen Abbas were among those who received him, Voice of Nigeria reported. Responding to rumours about his health, he told reporters he was “healthy and sound and ready to go”, according to Voice of Nigeria and ThisDay. He is expected to stay in Lagos for the anniversary, including the premiere of a film honouring MKO Abiola at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre, Iganmu. Read our full report on his return.
We are following it all on this page, which updates on its own.
Live Updates
15 updates · Refreshes on its own
1 Oct
Key moment
Tinubu: "Now begins the age of prosperity"
In his Independence Day broadcast on Thursday morning, President Bola Tinubu said the hardest part of his economic reforms was over. "Nigeria has corrected its course. We have passed through our own Red Sea. This is not the time to look back," he said. "The age of reform has done its work. Now begins the age of prosperity."
It was his fourth Independence Day broadcast since he took office in May 2023. He thanked "the men and women of our Armed Forces and security services who place themselves in harm's way", and closed by asking Nigerians to "go forward together, with faith in ourselves, faith in our country".
Source: Channels TV, Vanguard, TheCable
1 Oct
Still to come today: the MKO premiere
Tinubu is due to attend the premiere of MKO at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, today. The documentary by Hollywood-based Nigerian-American filmmaker Ose Oyamendan revisits the annulled 12 June 1993 presidential election, MKO Abiola's detention and the long pro-democracy struggle, Channels TV reported. We will add it here when it happens.
Source: Channels TV
1 Oct
Leaders mark the anniversary
Senate President Godswill Akpabio said: "Today, we celebrate the gift of nationhood and the enduring promise of our beloved country." ADC National Chairman David Mark called for reflection as well as celebration: "Our diversity should remain a source of strength, not division."
NLC President Joe Ajaero was more critical. He questioned where the savings from subsidy removal had gone and warned against any attempt to manipulate the 2027 elections.
Source: ThisDay
1 Oct
Cost of living and jobs come next
The President said the next phase would focus on prices and work: "Our priority is to bring down the cost of living." He listed more irrigation and dry-season farming, better access to seed and fertiliser, storage and transport links from farms to markets, gas to power new industries, reviving factories and wider digital connectivity.
He also pointed to direct support for the poorest households through the National Social Register, student loans from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and consumer credit through CREDICORP.
Source: Channels TV, Naija News
1 Oct
Key moment
No return to subsidies
Tinubu rejected calls to bring back subsidies. He compared Nigeria to a patient with cancer who can either endure difficult treatment or "ask only for morphine" and let the disease spread. "Our reforms did not create the weaknesses in our economy. They confronted them," he said.
"Now, as certain influential but regressive voices would have us abandon the treatment and return ourselves to the abuse of addictive subsidies, we must resist their siren song."
Source: Channels TV, Vanguard
1 Oct
Economy: growth, inflation and record non-oil exports
Tinubu said the economy "has grown by over 4 per cent this year", that "inflation has fallen substantially from its peak", that foreign reserves have been rebuilt and the foreign exchange market has stabilised, and that "oil theft is down". He added that in 2025 Nigeria recorded its highest revenue from non-oil exports in its history, "exceeding $6 billion". These are the President's own figures from the broadcast.
Source: Channels TV, Vanguard
30 Sep
Thursday declared a public holiday
The Federal Government has declared Thursday, 1 October, a public holiday to mark Nigeria's 66th Independence anniversary. Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo made the declaration on Wednesday in a statement signed by the ministry's Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani, and urged Nigerians to show unity, patriotism and mutual respect during the celebrations. Source: Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Channels TV
30 Sep
What to expect on Thursday
Independence Day is Thursday, 1 October. Tinubu is due to give a national broadcast, and to attend the premiere of a film honouring MKO Abiola at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre, Iganmu, Channels TV and Arise News reported. The Federal Government has already said this year's programme will be low-key.
We will keep this page updated through Independence Day.
30 Sep
Key moment
Tinubu is back in Lagos
President Bola Tinubu landed at the presidential wing of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 6.20pm on Tuesday, ending 30 days in Europe, TheCable and Legit.ng reported. Journalists were not allowed to cover his arrival, Legit.ng said.
He will stay in Lagos for the anniversary. Read our full story.
28 Sep
Good morning. Nigeria turns 66 on Thursday. We are following Independence week here, right up to President Tinubu's national broadcast on 1 October. Scroll down to catch up on what has happened so far. Next up: the public lecture on Wednesday, 30 September.
28 Sep
Key moment
National church service in Abuja
Sunday 27 September. At the national church service in Abuja, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, representing the President, says the administration wants to leave behind a peaceful, united country and urges Nigerians to vote freely in 2027.
Source: Tribune
28 Sep
In Calabar, an interdenominational thanksgiving service marks the anniversary, with the preacher urging citizens to criticise leaders constructively, The Guardian reported on Sunday.
Source: The Guardian
28 Sep
Juma'at prayer at the National Mosque
Friday 25 September. At the Independence Juma'at prayer at the National Mosque, Abuja, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, representing President Tinubu, urges Nigerians not to lose hope and says the country is on the right path.
Source: Vanguard
28 Sep
Key moment
World press conference in Abuja
Thursday 24 September. At the world press conference in Abuja, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and Information Minister Mohammed Idris say the task now is to turn reform gains into jobs, higher incomes and better services.
Source: The Sun
28 Sep
Key moment
Low-key programme confirmed
Friday 18 September. The Federal Government confirms a low-key programme for the 66th anniversary: a world press conference, Juma'at and church services, a public lecture on Wednesday 30 September and a presidential broadcast on Thursday 1 October.
Source: Vanguard
Sources
We checked this story against these sources. How we check
- Vanguard: Tinubu to address Nigerians Oct 1 as FG unveils low-key Independence celebration
- The Sun: FG: Reforms must now translate into jobs, lower costs, better living conditions
- Vanguard: Nigeria has finished making sacrifices, says Tinubu
- The Guardian: Cleric warns Nigerians against wicked criticism of leaders
- Tribune: #Nigeria66: Tinubu vows to leave country peaceful, prosperous
- Voice of Nigeria: I am healthy, sound and ready to work — President Tinubu
- ThisDay: Tinubu dismisses fears over his health, says 'I'm healthy, ready to work'
- Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation: FG Declares Thursday, October 1st, 2026, Public Holiday to Mark Nigeria's 66th Independence Anniversary (30 Sep 2026)
- Channels Television: FG Declares October 1 Public Holiday For Nigeria's 66th Independence Anniversary (30 Sep 2026)
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John Christian Mmaduabuchi is a Nigerian filmmaker, creative director, and media professional with extensive experience in digital storytelling, visual journalism, and contemporary media. His Journalism interests span Nigerian and African current affairs, entertainment, culture, technology, lifestyle, media, and the people shaping public conversation. With a background in film direction and documentary production, he brings a strong visual and narrative perspective to editorial work, with particular attention to context, clarity, and compelling storytelling. John is also a creative entrepreneur focused on storytelling, entertainment, culture, and digital content. His professional experience across directing, cinematography, editing, media strategy, and emerging AI technologies gives him a broad understanding of how stories are created, distributed, and consumed in the digital age. At GistMatrix, John contributes to the development and presentation of timely, engaging, and relevant stories for a contemporary audience. His approach to editorial work is grounded in accuracy, context, responsible storytelling, and a commitment to covering stories that matter.
