Eagle Square is the main square in

Abuja Abuja (; , ) is the capital city of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, strategically situated at the geographic midpoint of the country within the Federal Capital Territory (Nigeria), Federal Capital Territory (FCT). As the seat of the Federal G ...

, the capital of the

Federal Republic of Nigeria Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean to the south. It covers an area of . With Demographics of Nigeria, ...

. It is located between the Head of Service and the Federal Secretariat buildings in the Central Business District of Abuja. It is located where the Central Park was proposed and has an adjoining National Arcade jutting into The

Three Arms Zone The Three Arms Zone is a district of Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, so named because it contains the headquarters of the Three Arms of Government. The Supreme Court (Judiciary), The National Assembly (Legislature), and the Presidential Villa (Execu ...

through the Democracy Avenue, overlooking the

National Assembly Complex The National Assembly Complex is the seat of the National Assembly, the apex legislative body of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It's a symbol of Nigeria's democracy, a beehive of legislative activities and a major landmark in Abuja. Constructi ...

and the

Aso Rock Aso Rock is a large outcrop of granitic rock located on the outskirts of Abuja, the capital of Nigeria. The Aso Rock is a prominent monolith with a peak height of above sea level. It is one of the city's most noticeable features. The Nigerian ...

The square was constructed in 1999 to serve as the central area for seats of power in

Nigeria Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean to the south. It covers an area of . With Demographics of Nigeria, ...

History

The square was constructed in 1999 to serve as the place "where city inhabitants gather to pay respect to authorities as it is meant to serve a public institution rather than the public." The total cost of Eagle Square was increased by 14% before the completion of the project.

Usage

Protests and rallies

In January 2012, the

Occupy Nigeria Occupy Nigeria was a socio-political protest movement that began in Nigeria on Monday, 2 January 2012 in response to the fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government of President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday, 1 January 2012. Protests took plac ...

protest took place on the square. Political rallies are frequently held there, including the

International Workers' Day International Workers' Day, also called Labour Day in some countries and often referred to as May Day, is a celebration of Wage labour, labourers and the working classes that is promoted by the international labour movement and occurs every yea ...

(May 1) as well as ones held by the regime of General

Sani Abacha Sani Abacha (; (20 September 1943 – 8 June 1998) was a Nigerian military dictator and statesman who ruled Nigeria with an iron fist as military head of state from 1993 following a palace coup d'état until his death in 1998. Abacha's seiz ...

National Ceremonies

Eagle Square is used as the main venue for the

Independence Day An independence day is an annual event memorialization, commemorating the anniversary of a nation's independence or Sovereign state, statehood, usually after ceasing to be a group or part of another nation or state, or after the end of a milit ...

and

Armed Forces Remembrance Day The Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration (AFRDC) is observed on 15 January . It serves to honor veterans of the World War I and II and Nigerian Civil War as well as to commemorate the servicemen of the Nigerian Armed Forces. Being a former Bri ...

parade as well as the

presidential inauguration A presidential inauguration is a ceremonial event centered on the formal transition of a new president into office, usually in democracies where this official has been elected. Frequently, this involves the swearing of an oath of office. Examples o ...

of the

President of Nigeria The president of Nigeria, officially the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is the head of state and head of government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The president directs the executive branch of the Federal Government an ...

. Since its completion, it has also hosted a number of political rallies, religious programmes, musical concerts, and award ceremonies. On 27 April 2023, the Nigerian Army conducted the largest

Presentation of Colours The Presentation of Colours is a military ceremony that marks an anniversary or significant event in the history of a particular regiment or similar military unit. This involves the presentation of a new version of the Military colours, stan ...

in the

Commonwealth A commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. The noun "commonwealth", meaning "public welfare, general good or advantage", dates from the 15th century. Originally a phrase (the common-wealth ...

on Eagle Square, issuing 53 new colors to preexisting units an 28 colors to newly established units 81 colours being issued). File:NationalCenotaph.jpg, National Arcade (

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier A Tomb of the Unknown Soldier or Tomb of the Unknown Warrior is a monument dedicated to the services of an unknown soldier and the common memories of all soldiers killed in war. Such tombs are located in many nations and are usually high-profile na ...

) File:Photojournalist.jpg, Photojournalist at the Eagle Square

Others

On some rare occasions Eagle Square has been used for national prayers.

Landmarks and facilities

Arena

Facilities in the Eagle Square include a VIP pavilion and a 5,300-seat capacity arena for the hosting of state functions. It was designed and constructed in a few months by a company better known for road works.

National Arcade

The square is directly across from the National Arcade, also called Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. At the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in the adjoining National Arcade, a sentry guard from the Brigade of Guards keeps watch 24 hours with a ceremonial change of guards.

Others

Eagle Square is conveniently located near major government buildings and landmarks within

. * Abuja International Conference Centre * Federal Secretariat *

National Assembly In politics, a national assembly is either a unicameral legislature, the lower house of a bicameral legislature, or both houses of a bicameral legislature together. In the English language it generally means "an assembly composed of the repr ...

Supreme Court In most legal jurisdictions, a supreme court, also known as a court of last resort, apex court, high (or final) court of appeal, and court of final appeal, is the highest court within the hierarchy of courts. Broadly speaking, the decisions of ...

References

{{Abuja Squares in Nigeria Buildings and structures in Abuja Tourist attractions in Abuja Parade grounds

History

Usage

Protests and rallies

National Ceremonies

Others

Landmarks and facilities

Arena

National Arcade

Others

See also

References