President Bola Tinubu will address a joint session of the National Assembly on June 12 as part of activities marking the 2026 Democracy Day celebration.
The address is among several events approved by the Federal Government to commemorate this year’s Democracy Day, according to the Inter-Ministerial Committee inaugurated on Tuesday to coordinate the nationwide programme.
Other activities scheduled for the celebration include a World Press Conference on June 4, special Juma’at prayers on June 5, an interdenominational 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.
Inaugurating the committee, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, paid tribute to the late Chief MKO Abiola and other pro-democracy activists whose sacrifices contributed to the entrenchment of democratic governance in Nigeria.
According to a statement issued by the SGF’s media aide, Yomi Odunuga, Akume said Democracy Day provides an opportunity to reflect on the struggles and sacrifices of Nigerians who fought for the restoration of democratic rule.
“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.
The SGF described the June 12 anniversary as a significant occasion to honour those who played pivotal roles in Nigeria’s democratic journey, particularly the late MKO Abiola, whose sacrifice and commitment to democracy ultimately led to the official recognition of June 12 as Democracy Day.
Akume said this year’s celebration would also provide an opportunity for the Federal Government to showcase its achievements and reaffirm its commitment to democratic governance, institutional reforms and national development.
He noted that the administration of President Tinubu would use the occasion to highlight progress made in strengthening democratic institutions and implementing key reforms despite prevailing socio-economic challenges.
With less than two weeks to the celebration, Akume directed members of the committee to commence work immediately to ensure the successful execution of all approved programmes.
He stressed that the commemoration would be “modest but purposeful,” in line with the administration’s commitment to fiscal discipline and prudent management of public resources.
The SGF added that the committee had been divided into sub-committees to oversee various aspects of the event and directed all sub-committee secretaries to submit their budgets for approval.
Expressing confidence in the committee’s ability to deliver a successful celebration, Akume urged all stakeholders to collaborate in ensuring that the anniversary serves as a fitting tribute to Nigeria’s democratic heroes and a reaffirmation of the nation’s commitment to democratic ideals.
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 observes Democracy Day annually on June 12 to honour the legacy of the 1993 presidential election, widely regarded as having been won by the late MKO Abiola, and to celebrate the country’s democratic journey.
