Ahead of Nigeria’s 2025 Independence Day celebration, the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) Management Board has expressed its commitment to preserving Nigeria’s rich heritage and honouring the country’s national symbols.

The board said that historically, the Tafawa Balewa Square had been a symbol of Nigeria’s independence and democracy, where the Union Jack was lowered, and the Nigerian flag was hoisted for the first time on October 1, 1960.

To restore its current state, especially as the country is preparing to mark this year’s Independence Day on October 1, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Tafawa Balewa Square Management Board, Lucia Shittu, yesterday, announced the restoration and beautification of key monuments around the complex, notably the Independence Memorial Obelisk and the Remembrance Arcade.

Noting that the project was being implemented in partnership with Lafarge Africa, as a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, Shittu said the redesigned site would serve as a premier tourist destination, offering a variety of activities and experiences for all visitors.

She said Lafarge Africa would complete the first phase of the park’s redevelopment on or before October 1, 2025, in time for Nigeria’s Independence Day celebration.

According to her, the board’s vision with the partnership is to unify the historic landmarks into a world-class Remembrance Arcade Park and Independence Memorial Obelisk Garden.

She added that the formal inauguration of the first phase will take place on October 7, 2025, and the event will coincide with Nigeria’s Independence Day celebrations, ensuring the presence of key stakeholders, including ministers, corporate partners, and representatives from various states.

In her address, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, said the restoration of the independence site signals the current administration’s seriousness and commitment to Nigeria’s first intervention.

“Nigeria will be hosting the International African Trade Fair (IATF) in 2027, and this begins the gentrification of what we are going to see in Lagos State, vis-à-vis improvement in infrastructure and facilities at the National Theatre. This is more of what to come, seeing uplift and facelift ahead IATF,” she said.

Speaking more on the partnership, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Lafarge, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, said that upon completion of the rehabilitation to create an Independence Memorial Obelisk Garden, it would be accessible to the public as a premier tourist attraction, adding to the vibrancy of beautiful Lagos.

With the hope of delivering by October 7, 2025, he said the first phase will address structural integrity, aesthetics, safety, and accessibility.

He said the activities would involve a revamp of the monument while preserving the original design and texture; a restoration of the inscriptions, engravings, or symbolic carvings on the Obelisk; and rehabilitation of the immediate surroundings of the Obelisk, including walkways, lawns, and paving, as well as installation of a drainage system, and improved accessibility features, including ramps, or pedestrian pathways.

“We take pride in this project because it is the preservation of Nigeria’s historical and cultural heritage, which should be passed down to the coming generations. It also allows us to promote sustainability and better living with the use of our eco-friendly cement products, which offer a significantly lower carbon footprint (at least 30 per cent less CO₂), thereby reducing environmental impact,” he said.