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*President Bola Tinubu Democracy Day 2026 Speech
Dear Nigerians,
Today we celebrate democracy and the enduring Nigerian spirit. For 27 continuous years, since May 29, 1999, Nigerians have chosen their leaders through voting, witnessed peaceful transitions of power, and resolved disagreements in courtrooms and legislative chambers, not with violence. We have experienced the longest period of civil government in our history. Our democracy is not perfect, but it is ours and we must continue to defend and strengthen it.
Elections will be held in Ekiti and Osun states in the next few days. I urge INEC, security agencies and all parties to ensure that these polls are peaceful and credible. Democracy fails when citizens doubt the process. To our National Assembly, the judiciary, the press and civil society: you are the guardrails of our republic. Criticize me, you don’t agree with me, but never stop believing in Nigeria.
To our youth: Nigeria is your home and your future. Build here, code here, work here and vote here. Every great nation was built by those who stayed to solve problems, not by those who jumped ship.
To our armed forces, police and intelligence services: Nigeria salutes your sacrifice. To our traditional rulers, religious leaders and community leaders: thank you for your support for peace and reconciliation. The government cannot do it alone.
Today we honor the resilience of Nigerians who refused to give up their faith in freedom and the courage of those who steadfastly resisted intimidation. We pay homage to the patriots who endured persecution, imprisonment, exile, and even death so that future generations could enjoy democracy. I pay tribute to labor leaders, journalists, activists, students, women, professionals, political leaders and soldiers – both those who have left and those still with us – for their patriotic contributions.
Although this year’s spirits are dampened by the abduction of our children in Oyo and Borno, we remain hopeful of their safe return. Democracy without security is not strong enough. That’s why this administration has declared a security emergency and approved the recruitment of more than 50,000 new police officers and thousands of military recruits. Our 2026 budget commits $5.41 trillion, the largest ever, to defense and security. Our administration is always ready to do much more to protect our citizens.
We have gone from training with our allies, the United States, France and other European countries, to precision targeting. In Arege, Borno state, we demolished the ISWAP command center. Terrorism-related deaths have decreased by 81% compared to 2015. Over 13,000 terrorists have been neutralized in the last year. But we also keep the door of surrender open. Over 124,000 fighters and their dependents have laid down their arms since 2023 through Operation Safe Corridor.
To bandits, kidnappers and supporters of terrorism: Surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State. These surrender windows won’t stay open forever. No mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians.
At a time like this, we don’t blame or point fingers. Crime has no ethnicity. We must stand together and be confident that our nation’s enemies will soon be history. We will triumph over terrorism and continue to build a more prosperous nation.
June 12 holds a sacred place in our national memory. It represents more than an election; it is a defining chapter in our history. We remember Chief MKO Abiola, who won a pan-Nigerian mandate that transcended ethnicity and religion. We remember Alhaja Kudirat Abiola.
We also remember 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, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and many other heroes and heroines of democracy whose sacrifices helped secure the freedoms we enjoy today.
As beneficiaries of their struggle, we have a duty to strengthen and deepen the democratic institutions for which they fought. The greatest tribute we can pay is to build a Nigeria where freedom is protected, justice is upheld, opportunity is expanded and government is accountable.
June 12, 1993 revealed the possibility of a true Nigerian nation. The heroes of June 12 have secured political freedom. Our challenge is to ensure economic freedom. Democracy must be felt in the quality of people’s lives: in the opportunities for young people, in the prosperity of farmers, in successful entrepreneurs and in the dignity of our workers.
The reforms we are undertaking were not chosen for ease, but out of necessity. Three years ago, our public finances were under severe pressure, investment was discouraged and economic uncertainty threatened our future. We have chosen to take action, embracing reforms to advance Nigeria’s economic freedom.
Since 2023, our reforms have restored stability and credibility to economic management. Federation revenues have increased, providing states and local governments with increased resources for infrastructure, education, healthcare and security. Fiscal transparency has improved, losses have been reduced and public funds are better directed towards national priorities. Investor confidence has returned, with investment in agriculture, energy, manufacturing, technology, mining, transport and creative industries growing.
Domestic refining capacity has increased, strengthening energy security and reducing our dependence on imported petroleum products.
In 2023, when we came on board, the electricity sector was characterized by chronic production shortages, an unreliable gas supply and transmission infrastructure so fragile that it could not evacuate the available energy. Distribution companies were burdened with huge losses and a metering deficit of more than four million. What’s worse is that the value chain was drowning in legacy debt. The result was an industry that generated less than the 13,500 megawatts of installed capacity, an industry that transmitted less than it generated, distributed less than it transmitted, and raised revenues far below what it needed to sustain itself.
To address the problems facing the industry, I signed the Electricity Act, which gives states the authority to generate, transmit and distribute energy. The Presidential Energy Task Force is working hard to reduce the metering deficit. It was also authorized to raise $4 trillion in bonds to pay off verified inherited debts. The Rural Electrification Agency, supported by the World Bank and the African Development Bank, has distributed off-grid and mini-grid power to disadvantaged communities, universities, markets and hospitals. Electricity is a democratic dividend we owe every Nigerian. We intend to deliver it.
Across the country, infrastructure projects connect producers to markets and create opportunities for business and jobs. The National Agricultural Development Fund will distribute 10,000 tractors over five years. Over 1,000 SMEs have been certified for export. Non-oil exports grew 21% last year.
However, many Nigerians still face economic hardship. We remain focused on reducing inflation, expanding food production, creating jobs, improving living standards, restoring confidence in our economy and creating the conditions for sustainable prosperity.
We are moving from uncertainty to stability. The next phase is about accelerating growth and ensuring the benefits are felt in every home, every community and every region. We believe that democracy should be felt in your pocket.
Recognizing that democracy is undermined when people do not feel its impact, my administration sought financial autonomy for our 774 local councils. A fundamental challenge to our nation’s progress has been the ineffectiveness of local government administration. The insecurity we are dealing with is partly due to the collapse of grassroots governance. The Renewed Hope Agenda aims to ensure that all Nigerians benefit from governance.
Each generation has a crucial responsibility. The generation of our founding fathers ensured independence, the June 12 generation ensured democracy. Our generation must ensure prosperity.
Let us move forward together, rejecting division, cynicism and despair; embracing unity, hope and trust. Let us build a Nigeria united by common purpose, strengthened by diversity, where justice is accessible, freedom is secure and opportunity is abundant.
Among the architects of modern democratic Nigeria, we honor General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua for his vision of national partnership. In recognition of his contribution, the Federal Government approved the revitalization and renaming of the Institute of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, as the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua General University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology.
I am also pleased to announce national awards to the following Nigerians, who have suffered persecution, endured humiliation, exile, incarceration and, at times, isolation, so that we have democracy today.
Lawyer Ayoka Lawani
Tunde Fagbenle
Oladele Alake
Olatunji Nice
Louis Odion
Segun Babatope
Sam Omatseye
Sir Ademola Osinubi
Bola Bolawole
Lade Bonuola
Femi Kusa
Debo Adeniran
Chief Ayo Opadokun
Chief Ralph Obiora
Ose Osayande
Director of Lawyer Osa
Prof. Silvestro Odion-Akhaine
Doctor Arthur Nwankwo (posthumous)
Doctor Osagie Obayuwana
Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin
Attorney Titus Mann
Joe Igbokwe
Riccardo Akinnola
Ben Charles-Obi (posthumous)
George Mbah
Doctor Niran Malaolu
Major General Ishola Williams (rtd)
Femi Aborisade
Jenkins Alumona
Gbemiga Ogunleye
Muyiwa Adekeye
Babajide Kolade-Otitoju
Ike Okonta
We also recognize the soldier-democrats of the June 12 struggle:
Major General MA Garba
Brigadier General Lawal Jaafaru Isa
Colonel Umar Farouk Ahmed;
With Sambo Dasuki;
Colonel Lawan Gwadabe;
Brigadier Jonathan Ndam Temlong
Col Musa Shehu;
Major General Chris Eze;
Major General Harris Dzarma;
Col Isa Jibrin;
Maj. General Joseph Oshanupin;
Col Olusegun Oloruntoba, Olugbede of Gbede Kingdom)
Lieutenant Colonel Happy Kefas Bulus
Col J. Okai;
With Emmanuel Ndubueze;
Lieutenant Colonel Yakubu Muazu
Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar, the current Etsu Nupe, former holder of the CFR title.
The ranking will be published in the next few days.
Dear Nigerians, 27 years ago many doubted that democracy would survive here because of our diversity. Today, our diversity supports our democracy. The road ahead is steep. But June 12 reminds us: Nigerians don’t break. We bend, we bleed, but we don’t break.
Let us renew our pact: that the labors of our heroes of the past will never be in vain, and that the government of the people, by the people, for the people, will not perish from this earth.
May God bless the heroes of our democracy. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. May God continue to bless us all.
Happy Democracy Day.
BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR
President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces
Federal Republic of Nigeria
