Independence Day (Nigeria)
| Independence Day | |
|---|---|
| Official name | Independence Day |
| Observed by | Nigeria |
| Type | National day |
| Significance | Marks Nigeria's independence from the United Kingdom |
| Celebrations | Parades, cultural shows, official ceremonies |
| Observances | Speeches by the President of Nigeria, flag hoisting, cultural dances |
| Date | 1 October |
| Next time | 1 October 2025 |
| Frequency | Annual |
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Nigeria's Independence Day is a public holiday observed annually on 1 October to commemorate the country's declaration of independence from British rule in 1960. It marked the end of over sixty years of colonial governance and the emergence of Nigeria as a self-governing constitutional monarchy within the Commonwealth of Nations. The inaugural celebrations featured a formal ceremony in Lagos, attended by Nigerian leaders and international dignitaries.
Independence Day is observed nationwide through official ceremonies including military parades and flag-raising events, alongside traditional dances and cultural celebrations—a pattern mirrored by Nigerian communities abroad who mark the holiday by celebrating their heritage.