On 4 October 2026, Nigerians residing in Douala, Cameroon’s commercial hub, gathered for a vibrant celebration of Nigeria’s 66th Independence Day, featuring cultural performances, a football match and a tribute to Dangote Cement Cameroon for a decade of operation.
Key details of the event include: the Federal Government declared 1 October 2026 a public holiday; a Unity Football Match was staged on 3 October under the theme “Nigeria @66: Unity, Culture and Community”; Consul General Francis Enya Ntui highlighted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reforms in education, agriculture and the digital economy; and security cooperation was linked to challenges in the Lake Chad Basin. In his address, community leader Adegbola said, “I wish to express my profound appreciation to the Consulate General of Nigeria in Douala, and in particular to His Excellency, Ambassador Francis Enya, for the tremendous support and commitment that have gone into making today’s celebration possible.”
What activities marked the celebration?
The programme opened with traditional music and dance performed by Nigerian groups such as the Abriba Dancing Group, Yoruba and Akwa Ibom ensembles, alongside Cameroonian cultural troupes from Douala and Bamenda. The following day, the football match brought together Nigerians and friends of Nigeria, fostering sportsmanship and community spirit ahead of the main ceremony.
How did officials view Nigeria‑Cameroon relations?
[Consulate General of Nigeria in Douala](https://diplomacy.gov.ng/consulate- douala) Ambassador Francis Enya Ntui urged expatriates to act as responsible ambassadors and praised the shared history, cultural affinities and trade links between the two nations. He emphasized cooperation across trade, investment, security, transportation, education, culture and consular services, and lauded the joint efforts of security forces combating terrorism in the region.
Why was Dangote Cement highlighted?
A major segment of the event honoured [Dangote Cement Cameroon](https://www.dangote.com) for completing ten years of operations. A documentary produced by the ND Group traced the company’s growth, resilience and contribution to the broader African footprint of the Dangote Group, underscoring the role of Nigerian enterprises in Cameroon’s economy.
What role does the diaspora play?
Speakers recognized Nigerian community leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, students and religious organisations for their contributions to local development and for preserving Nigerian identity abroad. They cited commercial hubs such as Camp Yabassi, the Central Market and Congo Market where Nigerian traders are active.
How does regional security factor in?
Ambassador Enya Ntui highlighted the importance of collaborative action in the [Lake Chad Basin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Chad) to curb insecurity, commending the efforts of security personnel from Nigeria, Cameroon and neighboring states.
The celebration, coordinated by the ND Group in partnership with the Nigerian Consulate, reinforced the significance of cultural diplomacy, responsible citizenship and economic partnership in deepening Nigeria‑Cameroon ties.