President Bola Tinubu on Friday used his Democracy Day address to defend his administration’s economic reforms, highlight gains in the fight against insecurity, and announce national honours for dozens of pro-democracy activists and military officers who played roles in the June 12 struggle.
In the nationwide broadcast marking Nigeria’s Democracy Day, Tinubu said the current generation of Nigerians bears the responsibility of translating political freedom into economic prosperity, declaring that while the June 12 generation secured democracy, the present generation must secure prosperity for the country.
The president acknowledged the economic difficulties facing many citizens but insisted that reforms introduced since 2023 were necessary to stabilise the economy and create a foundation for long-term growth.
According to him, federation revenues have increased, fiscal transparency has improved, and investor confidence has returned, with investments growing across agriculture, energy, manufacturing, technology, mining, transportation and the creative sector.
He also pointed to increased domestic refining capacity and improved energy security as outcomes of the administration’s policies.
Tinubu said his government remains focused on reducing inflation, boosting food production, creating jobs and improving living standards, stressing that democracy must ultimately be reflected in the welfare of citizens.
“We are moving from uncertainty to stability,” the president said, adding that the next phase of governance would concentrate on accelerating growth and ensuring that economic gains are felt across all parts of the country.
On security, Tinubu described the abduction of children in Oyo and Borno states as a painful development but expressed optimism that the victims would be rescued safely.
He noted that his administration had declared a security emergency, approved the recruitment of more than 50,000 police officers and thousands of military personnel, and allocated N5.41 trillion to defence and security in the 2026 budget.
The president claimed that terror-related deaths had fallen significantly since 2015 and disclosed that more than 13,000 terrorists were neutralised in the past year.
He also said over 124,000 fighters and their dependents had surrendered through Operation Safe Corridor since 2023.
Warning criminal elements, Tinubu said bandits, kidnappers and sponsors of terrorism must either surrender or face the full force of the law.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s democratic journey, the President paid tribute to the heroes of the June 12 struggle, including the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola and Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, as well as several activists and political figures whose sacrifices contributed to the restoration of democratic rule.
He also announced the federal government’s decision to revitalise and rename the Institute of Petroleum Studies in Kaduna as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology in honour of the late military officer and democracy advocate.
As part of the Democracy Day celebrations, Tinubu unveiled a list of Nigerians to receive national honours for their roles in the pro-democracy movement.
Those named included journalists, lawyers, activists and political figures such as Tunde Fagbenle, Bola Bolawole, Debo Adeniran, Joe Okei-Odumakin, Richard Akinnola, Niran Malaolu and several others.
The President also recognised a group of military officers he described as “soldier-democrats” for their contributions during the June 12 era, noting that a comprehensive honours list would be released in the coming days.
Tinubu further called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies and political parties to ensure peaceful and credible elections in Ekiti and Osun states, warning that democracy is weakened when citizens lose confidence in the electoral process.
He urged Nigerians to reject division and remain committed to building a united and prosperous nation.
The president concluded by expressing confidence in Nigeria’s future, saying the country’s diversity remains a source of strength and resilience despite ongoing challenges.
