By Oseremen Ihimekpen
ABUJA, June 12, 2026 — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday said Nigeria’s 27 years of unbroken democracy must now translate into economic freedom for citizens, as he assured Nigerians that reforms undertaken since 2023 are stabilizing public finances and restoring investor confidence.
“Our democracy is not perfect, but it is ours, and we must continue to defend and strengthen it.”
In his Democracy Day address, Tinubu said since May 29, 1999 Nigerians have chosen leaders through the ballot, witnessed peaceful transitions, and resolved disputes in courts and legislatures rather than through violence.
With Ekiti and Osun states set to hold elections, the president urged INEC, security agencies, and political parties to ensure peaceful and credible polls. He also called on the National Assembly, Judiciary, press, and civil society to serve as “guardrails of our republic,” adding: “Criticise me, disagree with me, but never stop believing in Nigeria.”
To young Nigerians, he said:
“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 abandoned ship.”
SECURITY EMERGENCY, MILITARY GAINS
Acknowledging the abduction of children in Oyo and Borno, the president said the mood of the day was dampened but hope remained for their safe return. He declared that democracy without security is “not solid enough,” noting his administration declared a security emergency and approved recruitment of over 50,000 new police officers and thousands of military personnel.
The 2026 budget commits N5.41 trillion to defence and security, the largest allocation yet. Tinubu said Nigeria has moved from joint training with allies to precision targeting, citing the degradation of an ISWAP command centre in Arege, Borno State. Terror-related deaths are down 81% since 2015, with over 13,000 terrorists neutralized in the past year, he said.
He added that more than 124,000 fighters and dependents have surrendered through Operation Safe Corridor since 2023.
“To bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror: Surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State. These windows of surrender will not remain open forever.”
JUNE 12 TRIBUTE AND ECONOMIC REFORMS
Tinubu honoured Chief M.K.O. Abiola, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, and other heroes of June 12, saying the date represents “a defining chapter in our story.” He said the heroes of 1993 secured political freedom and Nigeria’s challenge now is to secure economic freedom.
He defended the reforms since 2023, saying they were driven by necessity after public finances came under severe strain. Federation revenues have risen, providing states and local governments more resources for infrastructure, education, healthcare, and security, while fiscal transparency and investor confidence have improved, he said.
Domestic refining capacity has increased, strengthening energy security. On electricity, Tinubu said he signed the Electricity Act granting states power to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity. A Presidential Power Sector Task Force has been authorized to raise a N4 trillion bond to settle legacy debts, while the Rural Electrification Agency, with World Bank and AfDB support, is deploying off-grid and mini-grid power to underserved communities, universities, markets, and hospitals.
Infrastructure projects are connecting producers to markets, and the National Agricultural Development Fund will deploy 10,000 tractors over five years. Over 1,000 SMEs have been certified for export and non-oil exports grew 21% last year, the president added.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTONOMY, HONOURS
Tinubu said his administration is pursuing financial autonomy for Nigeria’s 774 local councils, describing weak grassroots governance as a factor in insecurity.
“Democracy must be felt in the pocket.”
He announced the renaming of the completed Institute of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology.
The president also announced national awards for Nigerians who suffered persecution, imprisonment, exile, and other indignities during the struggle for democracy, and honours for soldier-democrats of the June 12 struggle. The full honours list will be released in the coming days.
“Let us renew our covenant: That the labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from this land,” Tinubu concluded.
