Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has vowed to make his country secure during an Independence Day broadcast to his nation.
Jonathan spoke Saturday, as security forces were deployed heavily in Abuja and across the country.
He said his government condemns all acts of violence and vowed that recent attacks blamed on Islamists will not define Nigeria.
In August, a bomb attack claimed by the Islamist sect Boko Haram killed 23 people at the Abuja headquarters of the United Nations.
During last year's ceremony celebrating Nigeria's independence, twin car bombs exploded near a reviewing stand, killing 12 people.
The militant group Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta claimed responsibility for that attack.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP.