President Bola Tinubu says he enjoyed a "good sleep and breakfast" after cancelling Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day military parade.

He made the comment during the unveiling of the renovated Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in Lagos. Tinubu said the evening event provided a refreshing break from the usual Independence Day parade.

Recall that the cancellation of the usual Independence Day Parade was announced by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

The Federal Government added that the cancellation of the October 1 parade did not diminish the significance of the anniversary.

“Happy 65th Independence Anniversary. This has broken the monotony of the march-past and parade. By cancelling this programme, I was able to have a good sleep, a nice breakfast and wait for this evening. And the evening is well spent,” he said.

The President, who arrived at the venue at 6:24 p.m., was joined by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II, and Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka.

The Centre, formerly the National Arts Theatre, was renamed by Tinubu in July 2024 in honour of Soyinka. The renovation was funded and overseen by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Bankers’ Committee.

Tinubu described Soyinka as one of the world’s greatest assets, praising his contributions to freedom and nation-building. “It couldn’t have been anything else. I know you will not disobey this president. I said it has to be Wole Soyinka Centre,” Tinubu stated.