President Bola Tinubu will deliver a speech to a joint session of the National Assembly on June 12 as part of activities lined up for the 2026 Democracy Day commemoration.
The engagement is one of several events approved by the Federal Government and coordinated by an Inter-Ministerial Committee inaugurated on Tuesday to oversee nationwide preparations for the celebration.
According to the committee, the programme is designed to reflect on Nigeria’s democratic journey and honour those who played key roles in the struggle for democratic governance.
Inaugurating the committee, the government paid tribute to the late Chief MKO Abiola and other figures associated with the June 12 democratic movement.
The SGF, George Akume, through his Media Aide, Yomi Odunuga, said Democracy Day remains a moment of national reflection on the sacrifices that shaped Nigeria’s current democratic system.
“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.
He added that the anniversary of June 12 continues to serve as a reminder of the contributions of democratic activists, especially the late MKO Abiola, whose role led to the formal recognition of the date as Democracy Day.
The federal government also noted that this year’s observance will highlight ongoing reforms and governance efforts under President Tinubu’s administration.
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Akume said the programme would showcase progress made in strengthening institutions, deepening democracy, and addressing national development challenges.
He directed the committee to commence preparations immediately, stressing that this year’s commemoration would be “modest but purposeful” in line with fiscal considerations.
The SGF also announced that sub-committees had been created and instructed them to submit their budget proposals for approval to ensure smooth execution of the events.
Other activities scheduled for the celebration include a World Press Conference on June 4, special Juma’at prayers on June 5, an inter-denominational church service on June 7, and a Democracy Day public lecture on June 9.
Additional events are youth and women-focused programmes on June 10, a presidential broadcast on June 12, and a gala night to round off the celebrations.
The committee, chaired by the SGF, brings together ministers, security chiefs, and senior government officials, including the Ministers of Information, Interior, Defence, Finance and Foreign Affairs, as well as the National Security Adviser, Inspector-General of Police, and DSS Director-General.
Nigeria observes Democracy Day annually on June 12 in honour of the annulled 1993 presidential election widely believed to have been won by MKO Abiola, and to mark the country’s return to civilian rule in 1999.
