Breaking: Tinubu to address Nigerians on 65th Independence Anniversary

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

As Nigeria marks 65 years of independence from British colonial rule, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to deliver a national address on Wednesday, October 1, at 7 a.m.

The broadcast by Tinubu is expected to offer a moment of reflection on the nation’s journey and its pressing challenges.

The broadcast, to be aired across all television, radio stations, and electronic media via the Nigerian Television Authority and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, comes as the Federal Government declares the day a public holiday, underscoring a commitment to unity despite economic hardships and security concerns.

In a statement released late Tuesday, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, announced the address, urging media outlets to join the nationwide network.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will broadcast to the nation on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 7 a.m., in commemoration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary,” Onanuga stated, emphasizing the event’s role in fostering national pride.

The announcement arrives amid a scaled-back celebration. The Federal Government has canceled the traditional Independence Day military parade scheduled for the Eagle Square in Abuja, citing unspecified reasons but affirming that the decision “is in no way a diminishment of the significance of this milestone anniversary.”

A statement from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, signed by Director of Information Segun Imohiosen, added, “The government remains committed to celebrating Nigeria’s 65th year of independence with dignity and enthusiasm. Accordingly, all other programmes slated for the Independence Anniversary will remain in effect.”

This year’s theme, “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” was unveiled earlier last week by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation.

It calls for collective action to support President Tinubu’s reform agenda, including economic stabilization and infrastructure development.

Celebrations kicked off on September 26 with Juma’at prayers and inter-denominational church services, followed by a world press conference on September 29.

Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in a separate statement, felicitated with Nigerians, urging them to “continue to uphold the patriotic spirit, unity, and resilience that have sustained the nation since independence in 1960” and to keep faith in the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of Tinubu’s administration.

Nigeria’s independence on October 1, 1960, marked the end of over a century of British rule, birthing a federation rich in diversity but plagued by ethnic tensions, military coups, and a devastating civil war from 1967 to 1970.

At 65, the country grapples with soaring inflation, naira depreciation, and insecurity in the north, where banditry and insurgency have displaced millions.

Tinubu’s address is anticipated to touch on these issues, building on last year’s speech where he pleaded for “patience” amid reforms like fuel subsidy removal, which spiked living costs but, he argued, laid groundwork for sustainable growth.