President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening democracy, improving security, and delivering economic prosperity, as Nigeria marked the 2026 Democracy Day celebration.
In a nationwide address on Friday, the President described Nigeria’s 27 years of uninterrupted civilian rule as a major achievement, noting that since 1999, Nigerians have consistently chosen their leaders through the ballot box and resolved political disputes through democratic institutions rather than violence.
Tinubu urged stakeholders to ensure peaceful and credible governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, stressing that public confidence in the electoral process remains essential for the survival of democracy.
The President also called on the National Assembly, Judiciary, media, and civil society organisations to continue playing their roles in safeguarding democratic governance, while encouraging citizens to remain committed to the nation’s progress despite existing challenges.
Addressing Nigerian youths, Tinubu urged them to build their future within the country by embracing innovation, entrepreneurship, civic participation and democratic engagement. He maintained that every great nation was built by citizens who chose to solve problems rather than abandon them.
The President paid tribute to members of the armed forces, security agencies, traditional institutions, religious leaders and community stakeholders for their contributions to national stability and peacebuilding efforts across the country.
Reflecting on the significance of June 12, Tinubu honoured the sacrifices of pro-democracy activists, journalists, labour leaders, students, politicians and other citizens who endured persecution, imprisonment, exile and death in the struggle for democratic governance.
He specifically remembered Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola and other prominent figures of the June 12 movement, describing their sacrifices as the foundation upon which Nigeria’s democratic system continues to stand.
On security, the President expressed concern over the recent abductions of schoolchildren in Oyo and Borno states, assuring Nigerians that his administration remains determined to secure the country and ensure the safe return of victims.
According to him, the Federal Government has declared a security emergency, approved the recruitment of more than 50,000 police officers and thousands of military personnel, while allocating N5.41 trillion to defence and security in the 2026 budget.
Tinubu disclosed that military operations have recorded significant gains against insurgent groups, including the degradation of terrorist strongholds in the North-East. He said thousands of terrorists had been neutralised over the past year, while more than 124,000 fighters and their dependents had surrendered through the Operation Safe Corridor programme since 2023.
The President defended his administration’s economic reforms, arguing that they were necessary to stabilise public finances, improve fiscal transparency and restore investor confidence. He said federation revenues have increased, while investments in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, technology, mining and energy have continued to grow.
He also highlighted improvements in the petroleum and power sectors, noting that domestic refining capacity has expanded and reforms in the electricity industry are gradually addressing longstanding challenges related to generation, transmission, distribution and metering.
According to Tinubu, infrastructure projects, agricultural investments and export promotion initiatives are creating new economic opportunities across the country. He revealed that the National Agricultural Development Fund is deploying 10,000 tractors over five years, while non-oil exports recorded a 21 per cent increase last year.
The President acknowledged that many Nigerians still face economic hardship but assured citizens that his administration remains focused on reducing inflation, increasing food production, creating jobs and improving living standards.
He also announced the renaming of the Institute of Petroleum Studies in Kaduna after the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and unveiled a new list of national honours for dozens of pro-democracy activists and military officers who contributed to the June 12 struggle, saying the full honours list would be released in the coming days.