Tinubu to Address Nigerians on Independence Day

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will address Nigerians at 7 a.m. on Thursday, October 1, 2026, as the country marks its 66th Independence anniversary.

The announcement was made on Wednesday in a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

According to the statement, Tinubu’s Independence Day address will be broadcast nationwide, with television and radio stations and other electronic media outlets directed to join the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN).

It said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will address the nation on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 7 a.m., to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary.”

The Presidency added, “All television and radio stations, and other electronic media outlets, are advised to join the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria for the broadcast.”

The address will come as Nigerians observe the anniversary of the country’s independence from British colonial rule. Nigeria became independent on October 1, 1960.

The Federal Government has already declared Thursday, October 1, a public holiday to allow Nigerians to mark the occasion.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the holiday on behalf of the Federal Government in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani.

Tunji-Ojo congratulated Nigerians at home and abroad on the 66th anniversary and urged citizens to use the occasion to reflect on the country’s journey since independence.

The minister highlighted Nigeria’s diversity, human resources and natural resources, describing the country’s warmth, welcoming spirit and love as qualities that make it “unarguably the most prosperous black nation in the world.”

He also described Nigeria as a beacon of hope under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and stressed the importance of peace and stability to the country’s development.

According to Tunji-Ojo, “peace and stability are a necessary condition for the development of any nation.”

He called on Nigerians to draw inspiration from the country’s founding fathers by demonstrating patriotism and contributing to the development of a country that future generations would be proud of.

“As we celebrate 66th years of our independence, we should always remember that there is hope for our country and our diversity is our strength, and our collective determination remains the foundation upon which a stronger and more prosperous nation will be built,” he said.

The minister also assured Nigerians that the Federal Government remained committed to delivering a better country through the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He said the administration “will ensure a better Nigeria for all citizens, as a befitting tribute to our heroes past.”

Tunji-Ojo urged Nigerians to use the anniversary to promote “unity, patriotism, peaceful co-existence and mutual respect.”

He added that “a new Nigeria is achievable,” while stating that the government would continue to focus on national security, public safety and creating an environment where citizens could pursue their legitimate aspirations with confidence.

Tinubu’s Independence Day address will also be his first major national broadcast following his return to Nigeria after his working vacation in Europe.

The President departed Nigeria on August 30 for London before proceeding to Paris, France, where he continued his engagements.