President Bola Tinubu will address the nation at 7am on Thursday as part of activities commemorating the 2025 Democracy Day celebration.
Following his address, President Tinubu will attend a joint session of the National Assembly at noon, to be held at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.
The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Democracy Day disclosed this in a statement released on Wednesday. Abdulhakeem Adeoye, who signed the statement on behalf of the Director of Information and Public Relations, noted that there would be no Democracy Day parade this year.
Later in the day, a public lecture will take place at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, at 4pm. The lecture is themed “Consolidating on the Gains of Nigeria’s Democracy: Necessity of Enduring Reforms.”
This year marks the 26th anniversary of uninterrupted democratic governance in Nigeria since the end of military rule in 1999. Democracy Day, once celebrated on 29 May—the inauguration date for presidents, governors, and lawmakers—was officially moved to 12 June in 2018 to honour the annulled 1993 presidential election won by MKO Abiola, widely regarded as Nigeria’s fairest election.
The 2025 Democracy Day celebration will be the third under President Tinubu’s administration, following his election victory in 2023 after a highly competitive race.
However, amidst the celebrations, public concerns remain about the state of democracy in the country. Critics have raised alarms over what they describe as declining democratic values.
One such voice is that of Dele Momodu, a publisher and leading figure in the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Speaking on Wednesday’s edition of Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Momodu claimed that Nigeria was regressing into a civilian dictatorship.
“I’m glad today coincides with the lead-up to June 12. If we have any conscience left, we must acknowledge that we have damaged this democracy,” he said.
“In truth, Nigeria is now at the mercy of civilian dictators who ignore public sentiment. Nigerians are suffering. I hope we’ve not broken this democracy beyond repair because the arrogance and impunity of this political class—across all levels—are staggering.”