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Nigerians living in Douala, Cameroon’s economic capital, have celebrated Nigeria’s 66th independence anniversary with colourful cultural performances, diplomatic engagements and renewed calls for stronger bilateral relations, while honouring Dangote Cement Cameroon for its 10 years of operations in the country.
The celebration was held recently in Douala, Littoral Region of Cameroon, attracted Nigerian community members, Cameroonian government officials, business leaders and other distinguished guests.
Among the dignitaries present was the Governor of the Littoral Region, Samuel Dieudonné Ivaha Diboua, whose participation underscored the importance of peaceful coexistence, cultural exchange and cooperation between Nigeria and Cameroon.
Nigeria gained independence from Britain on October 1, 1960. The Federal Government declared Thursday, October 1, 2026, a public holiday to commemorate the country’s 66th anniversary.
As part of the celebration, the Consulate General of Nigeria in Douala, in partnership with Naija Diaspora Magazine, organised a unity football match on Saturday, October 3, under the theme, “Nigeria @66: Unity, Culture and Community.”
The match brought Nigerians and friends of Nigeria together, promoting friendship, sportsmanship and community spirit ahead of the main anniversary celebration.
Traditional music and dance formed a major highlight of the event, with Nigerian and Cameroonian cultural groups displaying the richness and diversity of their respective heritages.
Participating groups included the Abriba dancing group and Yoruba and Akwa Ibom dance groups from Nigeria, alongside Douala and Bamenda cultural groups from Cameroon.
The cultural displays also highlighted the role of diaspora communities in preserving their national identities, while building meaningful relationships with their host societies.
Addressing participants at the ceremony, Nigeria’s Consul General for the Littoral and West Regions, Ambassador Francis Enya Ntui, urged Nigerians living in Cameroon to remain responsible citizens and worthy ambassadors of their country.
He said the anniversary provided an opportunity to celebrate Nigeria’s independence, honour the sacrifices of its founding fathers and renew the commitment to building a stronger and more prosperous nation.
The diplomat highlighted initiatives introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration in education, human capital development, agriculture, student loans, infrastructure, employment, economic growth and the digital economy.
He also stressed the importance of translating economic reforms into improved living standards and greater opportunities for Nigerians.
Ambassador Ntui described Nigeria and Cameroon as countries connected by shared history, cultural similarities, trade and longstanding people-to-people relationships.
He noted that bilateral cooperation extended across trade, investment, security, transportation, education, culture and consular services.
The Consul General also called attention to the importance of regional collaboration in tackling insecurity within the Lake Chad Basin and surrounding areas.
He commended security personnel in Nigeria, Cameroon and neighbouring countries for their efforts against terrorism and violent extremism.
On economic relations, he highlighted cross-border commerce and the growing participation of Nigerian businesses in Cameroon, noting that opportunities remained for expanding legitimate trade and investment between the two countries.
One of the major highlights was the recognition of Dangote Cement Cameroon for completing 10 years of operations in the country.
A documentary presentation showcased the company’s decade-long journey, resilience and contribution to the wider African operations of the Dangote Group. The documentary was assembled by the ND Group.
The Consul General also acknowledged Nigerian community leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, students and religious organisations for their contributions to community development, unity and the welfare of fellow citizens abroad.
In his remarks, Adegbola commended Cameroon for its hospitality towards Nigerians and other foreign nationals, noting that Nigerians had become well integrated into the Cameroonian society.
He identified Camp Yabassi, the Central Market and Congo Market as important commercial centres, where Nigerian businesspeople operate.
Adegbola also acknowledged Governor Diboua’s presence and encouraged participants to appreciate the governor for attending the celebration. He expressed gratitude to the Nigerian Consulate General in Douala for its support.
“I wish to express my profound appreciation to the Consulate General of Nigeria in Douala, and in particular, to Ambassador Enya, Consul General of Nigeria in Douala, for the tremendous support and commitment that have gone into making today’s celebration possible,” he said.
Coordinated by the ND Group in partnership with the Nigerian Consulate General in Douala, the celebration reaffirmed the importance of cultural diplomacy, responsible citizenship and economic partnerships in strengthening relations between Nigeria and Cameroon.
