Preparations are underway for a significant public holiday that marks an important event in the nation’s 111-year history. This annual celebration will take place in the most populous black nation on Earth.
President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government is expected to officially declare the nationwide public holiday in early October, emphasizing the importance of this occasion for unity and national pride.
The federal government will declare a nationwide public holiday to be observed on Wednesday, October 1, 2025.
Legit.ng reports that the holiday in Lagos, Kano, Rivers, and all other Nigerian states, will commemorate the 2025 Independence Day.
Nigeria’s Independence Day is celebrated annually on October 1, 1960, marking its proclamation of independence from British colonial rule. The holiday is legally recognised under the Public Holidays Act 1979, which designates 1 October as Nigeria’s national day.
The country’s 65th National Day celebrations are set to feature a series of coordinated events across all states, with major public and private venues playing host to national-focused programmes.
Already, the federal government has inaugurated the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) for the 2025 Independence Day celebration with a mandate to plan, organise, and execute all programmes marking Nigeria’s 65th anniversary.
Speaking at the inauguration, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), George Akume, underscored the importance of patriotism and collective responsibility in nation-building.
He said: “This anniversary is a reminder of where we are coming from and where we are going from here. As a nation, we have faced challenges in areas such as political, economic, and social issues, but we have overcome them.”
In the same vein, ahead of the 65th Independence Anniversary, the federal government has announced plans to honour 250 exceptional Nigerians who have demonstrated excellence, innovation, and patriotism in their respective fields.
The initiative, is part of a landmark project titled “Nigeria Celebrates”, which will culminate in the publication of a compendium showcasing top-performing Nigerians across the globe.
The commemorative project is a collaboration between the SGF’s office and OyanaHealth Limited, a Nigerian-based technology-focused platform.
Speaking in Abuja, Akume said: “This initiative presents a timely opportunity to reflect, project and celebrate the values that define the Nigerian spirit.”
