President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday declared that while the heroes of the June 12 struggle secured Nigeria’s democratic freedom, the responsibility of the current generation is to achieve economic prosperity for all citizens.
Speaking in a nationwide broadcast to mark the 2026 Democracy Day celebration, the President reflected on Nigeria’s 27 years of uninterrupted democratic rule and paid tribute to the sacrifices of pro-democracy activists whose struggles helped entrench civilian governance in the country.
“Every generation has a defining responsibility. The generation of our founding fathers secured independence the generation of June 12 secured democracy. Our generation must secure prosperity,” Tinubu said.
The President described June 12 as a defining moment in Nigeria’s history, honouring the memory of the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola, winner of the annulled 1993 presidential election, and other democracy advocates who endured persecution, imprisonment, exile and death in pursuit of democratic governance.
“The heroes of June 12 secured political freedom. Our challenge is to secure economic freedom. Democracy must be felt in the quality of people’s lives—in opportunities for youth, in prosperous farmers, successful entrepreneurs, and the dignity of our workers,” he stated.
Tinubu acknowledged that many Nigerians continue to face economic hardship but insisted that reforms introduced by his administration since 2023 were necessary to stabilise the economy and lay the foundation for sustainable growth.
According to him, government reforms have improved fiscal transparency, increased federation revenues, restored investor confidence and attracted investments into critical sectors including agriculture, energy, manufacturing, technology, mining and transportation.
“We are moving from uncertainty to stability. The next phase is about accelerating growth and ensuring the benefits are felt in every home, every community, and every region. We believe that democracy must be felt in the pocket,” the President said.
On security, Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to defeating terrorism, banditry and kidnapping, revealing that more than 13,000 terrorists had been neutralised within the past year while over 124,000 fighters and their dependants had surrendered through Operation Safe Corridor since 2023.
He noted that the government had declared a security emergency, approved the recruitment of over 50,000 police officers and committed a record N5.41 trillion to defence and security in the 2026 budget.
“To bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror: surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State. These windows of surrender will not remain open forever,” he warned.
The President also called on Nigerians to remain united in the fight against insecurity.
“Crime has no ethnicity. We must stand united and be assured that the enemies of our nation shall soon be history,” he said.
Addressing young Nigerians, Tinubu urged them to actively participate in nation-building rather than seek opportunities elsewhere.
“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 further announced the Federal Government’s approval for the revitalisation and 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 General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua for his contributions to Nigeria’s democratic development.
Tinubu also unveiled a list of democracy activists, journalists, politicians and military officers who will receive national honours for their roles in the June 12 struggle, saying the full honours list would be released in the coming days.
As Ekiti and Osun States prepare for governorship elections, the President called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and political actors to ensure peaceful and credible polls.
“Democracy fails when citizens doubt the process. Criticise me, disagree with me, but never stop believing in Nigeria,” he said.
Concluding his address, Tinubu expressed confidence in Nigeria’s future despite current challenges.
“The road ahead is steep. But June 12 reminds us: Nigerians do not break. We bend, we bleed, but we do not break,” he declared.
The President urged citizens to renew their commitment to national unity, justice and democratic governance as the country continues its journey toward greater prosperity and development.