George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, alongside Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, traveled to participate in Antigua and Barbuda’s 45th Independence Anniversary, celebrating four and a half decades of freedom from British colonial rule.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu disclosed this in a statement on X following her participation in the celebrations held on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
She said Nigeria’s delegation was led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and participated in the official reception hosted by the Governor-General of Antigua and Barbuda, as well as the country’s independence parade.
The celebrations featured a week-long programme of official events and concerts at various locations across the twin-island nation.
Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla also attended the independence parade and anniversary celebrations at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu noted that the anniversary coincided with Antigua and Barbuda hosting the 28th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which commenced on November 1, 2026.
Antigua and Barbuda gained independence on November 1, 1981, after centuries of British colonial rule.
What You Should Know
Nigeria’s top government representatives traveled to the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda to partake in their 45th independence celebrations and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
- Diplomatic Relations:
- Positive Impact: This visit strengthens international ties and fosters bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and Caribbean nations.
- Potential Concerns: High-profile international trips by government officials involve public expenditures that require transparent accountability.
