On September 30, 1960, Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra of Kent, representing Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, joined Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and His Highness the Emir of Kano at the Lagos Racecourse for a spectacular searchlight tattoo.
Held under sweeping beams of light, the ceremony was the final official engagement before the midnight handover that marked Nigeria’s emergence as a sovereign nation.
Thousands of Lagosians thronged the Racecourse to witness military pageantry, precision drills by the Nigerian Regiment Band, and cultural performances.
Princess Alexandra, who had arrived earlier that day to a 21-gun salute, was warmly received by the Prime Minister.
In his welcome address, Sir Tafawa Balewa said the visit symbolised the enduring friendship between Nigeria and Britain as the nation stepped into independence.
Official independence celebrations commenced hours later on October 1, 1960, with parades, ceremonies and the historic lowering of the Union Jack and hoisting of the Green-White-Green flag at midnight.
