President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has revealed that the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day military parade offered him a rare opportunity to rest and enjoy a “nice breakfast.”

Speaking on Wednesday evening at the unveiling of the renovated Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts (formerly the National Arts Theatre) in Lagos, Tinubu said he welcomed the change from the usual Independence Day routine.

“This has broken the monotony of military march-past, parade and everything. By cancelling this programme, I was able to have a good sleep, have a nice breakfast and wait for this evening. And the evening is well spent,” the president remarked.

The federal government had earlier announced the suspension of the annual October 1 parade, noting that the decision was not to diminish the significance of Independence Day but to celebrate the milestone in a more modest manner.

The reopening of the iconic cultural edifice was overseen by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in partnership with the Bankers’ Committee. The event was graced by top dignitaries, including First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II, and Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka, after whom the centre was renamed in 2024.

Tinubu described naming the centre after Soyinka as a fitting honour for a global icon whose activism and writings have shaped democracy and freedom in Nigeria and beyond.

The cancellation of the parade has stirred mixed reactions across the country, with some groups hailing it as a cost-saving move, while others argued it stripped Independence Day of its traditional character. Tinubu, however, insisted that the modest celebration created space for reflection and cultural appreciation.