President Tinubu's Democracy Day: Honours for Activists, New University for Yar'Adua

Nigeria recently marked 27 unbroken years of democracy, a period stretching since May 29, 1999, characterized by peaceful transitions of power, electoral choices made through the ballot, and the resolution of disagreements within legal and legislative frameworks rather than through violence. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu emphasized that while Nigerian democracy is not perfect, it is a cherished possession that citizens must continue to defend and strengthen. He urged all stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and political parties, to ensure forthcoming elections in Ekiti and Osun States are peaceful and credible, underscoring that public doubt in the electoral process undermines democracy itself. He called upon the National Assembly, Judiciary, Press, and Civil Society to act as crucial guardrails of the republic, encouraging criticism but fostering unwavering belief in Nigeria.

Addressing the youth, President Tinubu urged them to build, code, work, and vote in Nigeria, asserting that great nations are built by those who stay to solve problems. He extended salutations to the armed forces, police, and intelligence services for their sacrifice, and thanked traditional rulers, faith leaders, and community heads for their support in fostering peace and reconciliation, acknowledging that the government cannot achieve these alone.

The President paid tribute to the resilience of Nigerians who maintained their faith in freedom and the courage of those who defied intimidation. He specifically honored patriots who endured persecution, imprisonment, exile, and death to secure democracy for future generations, mentioning labour leaders, journalists, activists, students, women, professionals, political leaders, and soldiers. While acknowledging the somber mood due to the abduction of children in Oyo and Borno, he expressed hope for their safe return, stressing that democracy without security is a mirage.

In response to security challenges, the administration declared a security emergency, approving the recruitment of over 50,000 new police officers and thousands of military personnel. The 2026 budget allocates a record N5.41 trillion to defence and security. The government has transitioned from training with allies like the United States and France to precision targeting, successfully degrading ISWAP's command center in Arege, Borno State. Terror-related deaths have reportedly decreased by 81% since 2015, and over 13,000 terrorists have been neutralized in the past year. Despite these efforts, the door to surrender remains open, with over 124,000 fighters and their dependents laying down arms since 2023 through Operation Safe Corridor. President Tinubu issued a stern warning to bandits, kidnappers, and terror sponsors: surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State, as windows of surrender will not remain open indefinitely, and no mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians. He urged national unity, emphasizing that crime has no ethnicity, and expressed confidence in triumphing over terror to build a more prosperous nation.

June 12 holds a sacred place in Nigeria's national memory, symbolizing a defining chapter beyond just an election. The President remembered Chief M.K.O. Abiola, who won a pan-Nigerian mandate, along with Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, 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 whose sacrifices secured current freedoms. He stressed the duty of current generations to strengthen democratic institutions, aiming to build a Nigeria where freedom, justice, opportunity, and accountable governance thrive.

While the heroes of June 12 secured political freedom, the current challenge is to secure economic freedom. President Tinubu stated that democracy must translate into an improved quality of life for citizens, including opportunities for youth, prosperity for farmers, success for entrepreneurs, and dignity for workers. The administration's ongoing reforms, though difficult, were deemed necessary due to severe public finance strain, discouraged investment, and economic uncertainty observed three years prior. Since 2023, these reforms have reportedly restored stability and credibility to economic management, leading to increased Federation revenues for states and local governments, improved fiscal transparency, reduced leakage, and better allocation of public funds. Investor confidence has returned, with growth in sectors like agriculture, energy, manufacturing, technology, mining, transportation, and creative industries. Domestic refining capacity has also increased, enhancing energy security and reducing reliance on imported petroleum products.

The electricity sector, previously plagued by chronic generation shortfalls, unreliable gas supply, fragile transmission infrastructure, massive distribution company losses, and a metering deficit, is undergoing significant reform. The sector generated far less than its 13,500 Megawatts installed capacity and suffered from a value chain drowning in legacy debt. To address this, President Tinubu signed the Electricity Act, empowering states to generate, transmit, and distribute power. The Presidential Power Sector Task Force is working to reduce the metering deficit and has been authorized to raise a N4 trillion bond to settle verified legacy debts. The Rural Electrification Agency, supported by the World Bank and African Development Bank, has deployed off-grid and mini-grid power to underserved communities, universities, markets, and hospitals, affirming that electricity is a democratic dividend owed to every Nigerian.

Across the nation, infrastructure projects are connecting producers to markets and fostering enterprise and employment. The National Agricultural Development Fund plans to deploy 10,000 tractors over five years, and over 1,000 SMEs have been certified for export, contributing to a 21% growth in non-oil exports last year. Despite these efforts, many Nigerians still face economic hardship. The administration remains focused on reducing inflation, expanding food production, creating jobs, improving living standards, rebuilding economic confidence, and creating sustainable prosperity, aiming to move from uncertainty to stability and accelerate growth that benefits every home, community, and region. The President also asserted that democracy must be felt in the pocket and, recognizing that ineffective local government administration and the collapse of grassroots governance contribute to insecurity, his administration has sought financial autonomy for Nigeria’s 774 local councils under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

In recognition of his vision for national partnership, the Federal Government has approved the revitalization and renaming of the Institute of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology. President Tinubu also announced national awards for numerous Nigerians who suffered persecution, indignities, exile, incarceration, and solitary confinement during the struggle for democratic rule. The honorees include Barrister Ayoka Lawani, Tunde Fagbenle, Oladele Alake, Olatunji Bello, 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, Barrister Osa Director, Prof. Sylvester Odion-Akhaine, Dr Arthur Nwankwo (Posthumous), Dr Osagie Obayuwana, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, Barrister Titus Mann, Joe Igbokwe, Richard Akinnola, Ben Charles-Obi (Posthumous), George Mbah, Dr Niran Malaolu, Major-General Ishola Williams (rtd), Femi Aborisade, Jenkins Alumona, Gbemiga Ogunleye, Muyiwa Adekeye, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, and Ike Okonta. Additionally, soldier-democrats of the June 12 struggle were recognized, including Major General MA Garba, Brigadier General Lawal Jaafaru Isa, Col Umar Farouk Ahmed, Col Sambo Dasuki, Col 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, Lieutenant Colonel Happy Kefas Bulus, Col J Okai, Col Emmanuel Ndubueze, Lt Col Yakubu Muazu, and Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar. The full honours list is to be released soon.

President Tinubu concluded by asserting that Nigeria's diversity, once seen as a potential weakness, now sustains its democracy. He invoked June 12 as a reminder of Nigerian resilience and urged a renewal of the covenant that the labors of heroes past shall not be in vain, and that democratic governance shall endure. He extended blessings to the heroes of democracy and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, wishing all a Happy Democracy Day.