President Bola Tinubu will address a joint session of the National Assembly on June 12 as part of Nigeria’s 2026 Democracy Day celebrations.
The address is one of several official events planned by the Federal Government to mark the occasion, according to the Inter-Ministerial Committee inaugurated on Tuesday to coordinate the national programme.
Other activities include a World Press Conference on June 4, special Juma’at prayers on June 5, an inter-denominational church service on June 7, a Democracy Day public lecture on June 9, youth- and women-focused programmes on June 10, a presidential broadcast on June 12, and a Democracy Day Gala night.
At the committee’s inauguration, the Federal Government paid tribute to the late Chief MKO Abiola and other heroes of the June 12 struggle. In a statement by Yomi Odunuga, media aide to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the SGF, George Akume, noted that Democracy Day offers an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices made by Nigerians who fought for democratic governance.
Akume described the June 12 anniversary as a significant moment to honour those who contributed to the nation’s democratic journey.
“The democratic values and institutions being strengthened across the country today are founded on the sacrifices and struggles of patriots and democrats who fought for the enthronement of democratic rule in Nigeria,” he said.
Akume paid special tribute to the heroes of the June 12, 1993 struggle, particularly MKO Abiola, whose commitment to democracy led to the recognition of June 12 as Democracy Day.
He also stated that the celebration would allow the Federal Government to showcase its achievements and reaffirm its commitment to democratic ideals, institutional strengthening, and national development.
According to Akume, President Tinubu’s administration will use the occasion to demonstrate progress made in consolidating democracy, strengthening institutions, and implementing reforms, despite prevailing socio-economic challenges.
With only ten days until the anniversary, Akume directed committee members to begin work immediately to ensure the successful execution of all approved activities. He added that the celebration would be “modest but purposeful,” in line with the government’s commitment to fiscal responsibility.
Akume said the committee has been divided into sub-committees to handle various aspects of the celebration and directed all sub-committee secretaries to submit their budgets for approval. He expressed confidence in the committee’s ability to deliver a successful commemoration and urged stakeholders to work together to ensure the event serves as a worthy tribute to Nigeria’s democratic heroes and a reaffirmation of the country’s commitment to democratic governance.
The committee is chaired by the SGF and includes key ministers, security chiefs, and senior government officials—among them the Ministers of Information, Interior, Defence, Finance, and Foreign Affairs; the National Security Adviser; the Inspector-General of Police; and the Director-General of the Department of State Services.
Nigeria marks Democracy Day every June 12 to commemorate the country’s return to democratic rule in 1999 and to honour the legacy of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, widely believed to have been won by the late MKO Abiola.
