President, Nigeria
June 12: President Bola Tinubu's 2026 Democracy Day Speech [FULL SPEECH]
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About Bola Tinubu
In his Democracy Day address on June 12, 2026, Tinubu said his administration's economic reforms "were not chosen for ease but for necessity," stating that three years prior, public finances were under "severe strain" and that the government chose to act to advance "Nigerians economic freedom." He claimed that federation revenues had risen, providing state and local governments with more resources, and that investor confidence had returned. Tinubu also said the 2026 budget commits 5.41 trillion naira to defense and security, and that terror-related deaths were down by 81% since 2015. He warned bandits and kidnappers to "surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian state." Speaking at the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali in May 2026, Tinubu described the economy he inherited as a "fake life," arguing that continuing the fuel subsidy was wasteful and that 27 of Nigeria's 36 states were previously unable to pay workers' salaries. He said the economy had "turned the corner" and was "no more on the edge of bankruptcy." In remarks to state governors on May 29, 2026, marking three years in office, Tinubu said "instead of bankruptcy, Nigeria has survived" and that "agriculture is humming, food is here." He also addressed a peace committee for Plateau State in May, calling for the establishment of state police and urging leaders to "detach" criminality from religion and ethnicity.
Transcript (16 segments)
✨ AI-enhanced transcript with speaker attribution
B
Bola Tinubu0:04
Fellow Nigerians, today we celebrate democracy and the enduring Nigerian spirit. For 27 unbroken years since May 29, 1999, Nigerians have chosen their leaders through the ballot, witnessed peaceful transition of power and resolved disagreement in courtrooms and legislative chambers, not through violence. We have experienced the longest stretch of civilian rule in our history. Our democracy is not perfect, but it is ours and we must continue to defend and strengthen it.
In the coming days, Ekiti and states will hold elections. I urge INC security agencies and all parties to ensure these processes are peaceful and credible. Democracy fails when citizens doubt the process.
To our national assembly, judiciary, the press and civil society. You are the guard rails of our republic. Criticize me, disagree with me, but never stop believing in Nigeria.
To our young people, Nigeria is your home and your future. Build here, code here, work here, and food here. Every great nation was built by those who stayed to solve problems, but not by those who abandoned ship.
To our armed forces, police and intelligence services. Nigeria salutes your sacrifice. To our traditional rulers, faith leaders and community heads. Thank you for your support of peace and reconciliation. The government cannot do it alone.
Today we honor the resilience of Nigerians who refuse to surrender their faith in freedom and the courage of those who stood firm against intimidation. We pay tribute to patriots who endured persecution, imprisonment, exile, and even death so that future generations could enjoy democracy. I salute labor leaders, journalists, activists, students, women, professionals, political leaders, and soldiers, both those who passed and those still with us for their patriotic contributions.
Though this year's mood is dampened by the abduction of our children in Yoyo and Bonu, we remain hopeful for their safe return. Democracy without security is not solid enough. That is why this administration has chosen both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies to restore peace, declared a security emergency, and approved the recruitment of 50,000 new police officers and thousands of military recruits. Our 2026 budget commits 5.41 trillion, our largest ever to defense and security. We have moved from training with our allies to precision targeting in air with degraded ISAP and command centers. Terror related deaths are down by 81% since 2015. Over 13,000 terrorists have been neutralized in the past year. But we also keep the door of surrender open. Over 124,000 fighters and dependents have laid down arms since 2023. Through Operation Safe Corridor, we turn our former enemies into citizens because every life saved is a victory for democracy.
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. No mercy will be shown to those who trade in blood of Nigerians. At a time like this, let us not assign blames or point fingers. Crime has no ethnicity. We must stand united and be assured that the enemies of our nation shall soon be history. We will triumph over terror and continue to build a more prosperous nation.
June 12 occupies a sacred place in our national memory. It represents more than an election. It is a defining chapter in our history. We remember Chief MKO Abiola who won a pan Nigeria mandate transcending ethnicity and religion. We remember Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Chief Alfred Rewane, Abraham Adesanya, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Alhaji Bala, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe, Chima Ubani, and many other heroes and heroines of democracy whose sacrifices help secure the freedom we enjoy today. As beneficiaries of their struggle, we have a duty to strengthen and deepen the democratic institutions for which they fought. The greatest tribute we can pay is to build a Nigeria where freedom is protected, justice is upheld, opportunity is expanded, and government is accountable.
June 12th, 1993 revealed the possibility of a true Nigerian nation. 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 and opportunities for youth and prosperous farmers, successful entrepreneurs and the dignity of our workers. The reforms we are undertaking were not chosen for ease but for necessity. Three years ago, our public finances were under severe strain. Investment was discouraged and economic uncertainty threatened our future. We chose to act, embracing reforms to advance Nigerians' economic freedom. Since 2023, our reforms have restored stability and credibility to economic management. Federation revenues have risen, providing state and local governments with more resources for infrastructure, education, health care and security. Fiscal transparency has improved, leakages have been reduced and public funds are better directed to national priorities. Investors' confidence has returned with investment in agriculture, energy, manufacturing, technology, mining, transportation and creative industries growing. Domestic refinery capacity has increased, strengthening energy security and reducing our reliance on imported petroleum products.
By 2023, when we came on board, the electricity sector was characterized by chronic generation shortfalls and unreliable gas supply and transmission infrastructure so fragile that they could not evacuate available power. Distribution companies were burdened by massive losses and a metering deficit of over 4 million. Worst of all, the value chain was drowning in legacy debt. The result was a sector that generated less than 13,500 megawatts in installed capacity, a sector that transmitted less than it generated, distributed less than it transmitted, and collected revenue far below what it needed to sustain itself. To address the problems besetting the sector, I signed the Electricity Act which grants states authority to generate, transmit and distribute power. The Presidential Power Sector Task Force is working hard to reduce the metering deficit. It has also been authorized to raise a 4 trillion bond to settle verified legacy debts. The Rural Electrification Agency, supported by the World Bank and the African Development Bank, has deployed off-grid and mini-grid power to underserved communities, universities, markets and hospitals. Electricity is a democratic dividend we owe every Nigerian. We intend to deliver it across the country.
Infrastructure projects are connecting producers to markets and creating opportunities for enterprise and employment. The National Agricultural Development Fund is deploying 10,000 tractors over five years. Over 1,000 SMEs have been certified for export. Non-oil exports grew by 21% last year. Yet many Nigerians still face economic hardship. We remain focused on reducing inflation, expanding food production, creating jobs, improving living standards, rebuilding confidence in our economy, and creating conditions for sustainable prosperity. 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, recognizing that democracy is undermined when people do not feel its impact. My administration has sought financial autonomy for our 774 local councils. A fundamental challenge to our nation's advancement has been ineffective local government administration. The insecurity we are addressing is partly due to the collapse of grassroots governance. The Renewed Hope agenda is about ensuring that all Nigerians benefit from governance.
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. Let us move forward together, rejecting division, cynicism and despair, embracing unity, hope and confidence. Let us build a Nigeria united by a common purpose, strengthened by diversity, where justice is accessible, liberty is secure, and opportunity is abundant.
Among the architects of modern democratic Nigeria, we honor General Shehu Musa Yar'Adua for his vision of national partnership. In recognition of his contributions, the federal government has approved the re-certification and renaming of the completed Institute of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna as the General Yar'Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology. I'm also pleased to announce the national awards to the following Nigerians who suffered persecution, endured indignity, exile, incarceration and at times solitary confinement, so that we have democracy today.
Fagbemi, Laniyan, Chief, Chief Rafiu, Ola, Barrister Ola, Director Professor Sylvester, Oon Akai, Dr. Anko Possum, Dr. Gana, John, Barrister Titus, Manjo, Aola, Ben, Charles, Obi, Postum, George, Major General Williams, retired, Jenkins, Aluma. We also recognize the soldiers and democrats of the June 12th struggle: Major General Magaba, Brigadier General Jafaru Isa, Colonel Ahmed, Colonel Dasuki, Colonel Tan, Long, Colonel, Major General Chris E., Major General Aris Dama, Colonel Isa Jubin, Major General, of Med Kingdom Lebanon, Ayas, Bulus, Jai, Connor. The current Esun-Upe who is already the holder of CFR title. The honor list will be released in the next few days.
Fellow Nigerians, 27 years ago, many doubted democracy would survive here because of our diversity. Today our diversity sustains our democracy. The road ahead is steep but June 12 reminds us: Nigeria do not break. We bend. We bleed but we do not break. Let us renew our covenant that the labors of our heroes past shall never be in vain and that our government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from this land. May God bless the heroes of our democracy. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. May God continue to bless us all. Happy Democracy Day.