President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigerians to unite in building a prosperous nation, declaring that while the June 12 generation secured democracy, the responsibility of the present generation is to secure economic prosperity for all citizens.
In his nationwide address to mark the 2026 Democracy Day celebration on Friday, President Tinubu reflected on Nigeria’s 27 years of uninterrupted democratic governance, describing it as the longest period of civilian rule in the country’s history.
“The generation of our founding fathers secured independence—the generation of June 12 secured democracy. Our generation must secure prosperity,” the President stated.
He paid tribute to the heroes of the June 12 struggle, including Chief M.K.O. Abiola, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Chief Bola Ige, Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, Frank Kokori, Chima Ubani, Arthur Nwankwo and numerous others whose sacrifices helped restore democratic rule in Nigeria.
President Tinubu emphasized that democracy must go beyond political freedoms and translate into improved living conditions, economic opportunities, job creation, and better standards of living for Nigerians.
According to him, the reforms initiated by his administration since 2023 were necessary to stabilize the economy, improve fiscal transparency, increase government revenues, and attract investments across key sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, technology, mining, transportation, energy, and the creative industry.
The President noted that domestic refining capacity had increased while non-oil exports grew by 21 percent in the past year. He also highlighted ongoing efforts to revive the electricity sector through the implementation of the Electricity Act, expansion of rural electrification projects, reduction of the metering deficit, and settlement of legacy debts in the power value chain.
On security, Tinubu acknowledged national concerns over the recent abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo and Borno States but assured Nigerians that government was intensifying efforts to secure their release and strengthen national security.
He disclosed that the Federal Government had declared a security emergency, recruited over 50,000 police officers and thousands of military personnel, while allocating N5.41 trillion to defence and security in the 2026 budget.
The President further stated that terror-related deaths had declined significantly while over 13,000 terrorists were neutralized within the past year. He added that more than 124,000 fighters and their dependents had surrendered through Operation Safe Corridor since 2023.
Addressing the nation’s youth, Tinubu urged them to believe in Nigeria and contribute to its development.
“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,” he said.
The President also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and political stakeholders to ensure peaceful and credible elections in Ekiti and Osun States in the coming days.
He stressed the importance of strong democratic institutions and encouraged the National Assembly, Judiciary, media and civil society organizations to continue playing their roles in safeguarding the nation’s democracy.
As part of activities marking the celebration, Tinubu announced the conferment of national honours on several pro-democracy activists, journalists, political leaders and military officers who contributed to the struggle for democratic governance.
He also approved the renaming of the completed 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 statesman.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to economic growth and grassroots development, the President said efforts were ongoing to strengthen local government autonomy and ensure that democratic dividends reach all communities across the country.
“The road ahead is steep. But June 12 reminds us that Nigerians do not break. We bend, we bleed, but we do not break,” Tinubu declared.
He urged citizens to reject division, cynicism and despair, and instead embrace unity, hope and confidence in the nation’s future.
