President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that Nigeria’s current generation bears the historic responsibility of securing economic prosperity just as the nation’s founding fathers secured independence and the heroes of June 12 fought for and secured democracy.
Speaking during his Democracy Day address marking 27 years of uninterrupted democratic governance since Nigeria’s return to civilian rule in 1999, the President celebrated the country’s democratic resilience, paid tribute to pro-democracy heroes, outlined achievements of his administration and reaffirmed his government’s determination to defeat insecurity, strengthen democratic institutions and deliver economic prosperity to Nigerians.
The President noted that for 27 consecutive years, Nigerians have elected their leaders through the ballot box, witnessed peaceful transitions of power and resolved political disagreements through democratic institutions rather than violence.
He described the period as the longest stretch of civilian rule in Nigeria’s history and urged citizens to continue defending and strengthening democratic governance.
According to President Tinubu, democracy may not be perfect, but it remains a system that belongs to Nigerians and must be protected by all.
Looking ahead to the forthcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States, the President called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and political parties to ensure peaceful, transparent and credible electoral processes.
He warned that democracy suffers whenever citizens lose confidence in the electoral process and stressed the importance of maintaining the integrity of elections.
The President also commended the National Assembly, the Judiciary, the media and civil society organisations for their role in safeguarding democracy and serving as institutional guardrails of the republic.
He urged them to continue holding government accountable while remaining committed to Nigeria’s democratic future.
Addressing Nigerian youths, Tinubu encouraged them to remain optimistic about the country’s prospects and contribute actively to national development.
He challenged young Nigerians to build businesses, develop technological innovations, work, invest and participate in elections within the country, stressing that great nations are built by citizens who remain committed to solving challenges rather than abandoning them.
The President also paid tribute to members of the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force and intelligence agencies for their sacrifices in defence of the nation.
He further acknowledged the contributions of traditional rulers, religious leaders and community leaders in promoting peace, reconciliation and national unity.
President Tinubu used the occasion to honour Nigerians who endured persecution, imprisonment, exile and even death during the struggle for democratic governance.
He paid tribute to labour leaders, journalists, civil rights activists, students, women, professionals, politicians and military personnel whose sacrifices helped secure democratic freedoms for future generations.
While celebrating democratic progress, the President acknowledged that this year’s Democracy Day was overshadowed by the recent abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo and Borno States.
He expressed hope for their safe return and reiterated that democracy cannot flourish without security.
According to him, the security of lives and property remains a top priority of his administration, which has declared a security emergency and approved the recruitment of more than 50,000 additional police officers alongside thousands of military recruits.
He disclosed that the 2026 national budget allocated N5.41 trillion to defence and security, the highest security allocation in Nigeria’s history.
The President stated that the government remains prepared to take additional measures to protect citizens and defeat criminal elements threatening national stability.
Highlighting gains in the fight against terrorism and insurgency, Tinubu said Nigeria’s security forces have transitioned from conventional training exercises with international partners such as the United States, France and other European nations to more sophisticated precision-targeting operations.
He revealed that a major operation in Arege, Borno State, successfully degraded an Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) command centre.
According to the President, terror-related deaths have declined by 81 per cent since 2015, while more than 13,000 terrorists have been neutralised within the last year alone.
He also disclosed that over 124,000 former fighters and their dependants have surrendered through Operation Safe Corridor since 2023.
Despite maintaining an open-door policy for those willing to surrender, Tinubu issued a stern warning to terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and their sponsors, urging them to lay down their arms or face the full force of the Nigerian state.
He stressed that the government’s offer of surrender would not remain available indefinitely and vowed that no mercy would be shown to individuals profiting from violence and the bloodshed of innocent Nigerians.
The President called on Nigerians to remain united against insecurity, stressing that criminality should never be viewed through ethnic or sectional lenses.
He urged citizens to avoid blame games and remain confident that the country would ultimately prevail over terrorism and criminal violence.
Reflecting on the significance of June 12, President Tinubu described the date as a sacred chapter in Nigeria’s democratic history.
He said the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election represented more than an electoral contest and symbolised the possibility of a truly united Nigerian nation.
The President paid glowing tribute to the presumed winner of the election, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (M.K.O.) Abiola, whom he described as a national figure whose mandate transcended ethnic, religious and regional divides.
He also honoured the memory of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola and other prominent figures who played key roles in the pro-democracy struggle.
Among those recognised were Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Alfred Rewane, Pa Abraham Adesanya, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Commodore Dan Suleiman, Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti, Frank Kokori, Arthur Nwankwo, Chima Ubani and General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, alongside numerous other heroes and heroines of democracy.
President Tinubu stated that the greatest tribute Nigerians can pay to these patriots is to strengthen democratic institutions, uphold justice, protect freedom, expand opportunities and ensure accountable governance.
He argued that while the heroes of June 12 secured political freedom, the responsibility of the present generation is to secure economic freedom for all Nigerians.
According to him, democracy must be measured not only by political rights but also by improvements in living standards, employment opportunities, agricultural productivity, entrepreneurship and the welfare of workers.
Defending the economic reforms introduced by his administration, Tinubu stated that they were undertaken out of necessity rather than convenience.
He recalled that when his administration assumed office in 2023, Nigeria’s public finances were under severe pressure, investor confidence was weak and economic uncertainty threatened national development.
The President maintained that the reforms implemented since then have restored stability and credibility to economic management.
He disclosed that federation revenues have increased significantly, enabling states and local governments to access more resources for infrastructure, education, healthcare and security projects.
According to him, fiscal transparency has improved, financial leakages have been reduced and public resources are now being directed more effectively toward national priorities.
Tinubu further stated that investor confidence has improved, leading to increased investments across key sectors including agriculture, energy, manufacturing, technology, mining, transportation and the creative industry.
He also noted that domestic refining capacity has expanded, strengthening Nigeria’s energy security and reducing dependence on imported petroleum products.
On the electricity sector, the President painted a picture of the challenges his administration inherited in 2023, including chronic generation shortfalls, unreliable gas supply, weak transmission infrastructure, huge distribution losses, a metering deficit exceeding four million customers and substantial legacy debts across the value chain.
According to him, the sector was generating less than its installed capacity of 13,500 megawatts, transmitting less than it generated, distributing less than it transmitted and collecting revenues far below sustainable levels.
To address these challenges, Tinubu said he signed the Electricity Act, which empowers state governments to generate, transmit and distribute electricity within their jurisdictions.
He disclosed that the Presidential Power Sector Task Force has been mandated to tackle the country’s metering deficit and raise a N4 trillion bond to settle verified legacy debts within the sector.
The President also highlighted the efforts of the Rural Electrification Agency, supported by the World Bank and the African Development Bank, in deploying off-grid and mini-grid electricity solutions to underserved communities, universities, markets and hospitals nationwide.
He described electricity as a democratic dividend owed to every Nigerian and pledged that his administration remains committed to expanding access to reliable power.
The President further highlighted progress in infrastructure development, stating that ongoing projects across the country are connecting producers to markets while creating jobs and business opportunities.
He disclosed that the National Agricultural Development Fund is implementing a programme to deploy 10,000 tractors over five years to boost agricultural productivity.
Tinubu also revealed that more than 1,000 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have been certified for export, while non-oil exports recorded a 21 per cent increase over the past year.
Despite these gains, the President acknowledged the economic difficulties still confronting many Nigerians and assured citizens that his administration remains focused on reducing inflation, increasing food production, creating jobs, improving living standards and rebuilding confidence in the economy.
He expressed confidence that Nigeria is gradually transitioning from uncertainty to stability and that the next phase of reforms would focus on accelerating growth and ensuring that the benefits reach every household, community and region.
According to him, democracy must not only exist in institutions but must also be felt in the daily lives and economic wellbeing of citizens.
President Tinubu also highlighted efforts to strengthen grassroots governance through financial autonomy for the country’s 774 local government councils.
He argued that weak local government administration has contributed significantly to insecurity and underdevelopment and stated that the Renewed Hope Agenda seeks to ensure that governance delivers benefits directly to ordinary Nigerians.
The President maintained that every generation faces a defining national responsibility, noting that while Nigeria’s founding fathers secured independence and the June 12 generation secured democracy, the responsibility of the current generation is to secure prosperity.
Calling for unity and national purpose, Tinubu urged Nigerians to reject division, cynicism and despair while embracing hope, confidence and collective action toward nation-building.
He expressed his vision of a Nigeria united by common purpose, strengthened by diversity and characterised by justice, liberty and opportunity.
In recognition of the contributions of General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua to Nigeria’s democratic evolution and national development, the President announced the approval of the revitalisation and renaming of the completed Institute of Petroleum Studies in Kaduna as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology.
He also announced plans to confer national honours on several Nigerians who endured persecution, imprisonment, exile and other hardships during the struggle to restore democratic governance in the country.
President Tinubu concluded by urging Nigerians to remain committed to strengthening democratic institutions, defending national unity and working collectively to build a more secure, prosperous and democratic nation.
