First Time Since Relocation of Nigeria’s Seat of Power from Lagos in 1991.
For the first time since Nigeria’s seat of power was relocated from Lagos to Abuja, the President has held the Independence Day celebration outside the Federal Capital Territory. This marks a significant shift from the long-standing tradition of hosting the ceremony exclusively in Abuja.
Nigeria’s federal capital was officially moved from Lagos to Abuja in 1991, under the military administration of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida. The recent decision has sparked mixed reactions across the country—while some see it as a symbolic effort to promote inclusiveness and unity, others believe it reflects a new approach to national identity.