June 12: Tinubu to deliver key address as FG plans nationwide celebrations

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will address a joint session of the National Assembly on June 12 as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 2026 Democracy Day celebration.

The address is one of several events outlined by the Federal Government through an Inter-Ministerial Committee inaugurated on Tuesday to coordinate nationwide programmes for the commemoration.

According to the schedule, activities will begin with a World Press Conference on June 4, followed by special Juma’at prayers on June 5 and an inter-denominational church service on June 7. A Democracy Day public lecture is slated for June 9, while youth- and women-focused programmes will hold on June 10. On June 12, the President will deliver a national broadcast, alongside other official engagements, culminating in a Democracy Day Gala Night.

At the inauguration of the committee, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, described Democracy Day as an important occasion for reflecting on the sacrifices of Nigerians who fought for democratic governance.

He paid tribute to the late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola and other heroes of the June 12 struggle, noting that their efforts laid the foundation for the democratic institutions Nigeria continues to build today.

Akume said the anniversary offers an opportunity to honour these contributions while also showcasing the government’s achievements and reaffirming its commitment to democratic ideals, institutional strengthening and national development.

He added that the administration of President Tinubu would use the occasion to highlight progress made in consolidating democracy and implementing reforms, despite prevailing socio-economic challenges.

With less than two weeks to the celebration, the SGF directed committee members to begin work immediately to ensure the smooth execution of all approved activities. He emphasized that the event would be “modest but purposeful,” in line with the government’s stance on fiscal responsibility.

The committee, chaired by Akume, includes key ministers, security chiefs and senior government officials such as the Ministers of Information, Interior, Defence, Finance and Foreign Affairs, as well as 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 commemorate its return to civilian rule in 1999 and to honour the legacy of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, widely regarded as having been won by MKO Abiola.