Trending 
President Bola Tinubu delivered a national address on Friday to mark Democracy Day, touching on local government autonomy, security, youth engagement, national honours for democracy heroes and the country’s democratic journey.
Here are the key takeaways from his speech:
‘Build here, work here’ – Tinubu appeals to youth
The president made a direct appeal to young Nigerians, urging them not to abandon their country.
“Nigeria is your home. Build here, work here, and food here,” he said.
“Every great nation was built by those who stayed to solve problems, not by those who abandoned ship.”
Tinubu also saluted the armed forces, police and intelligence services for their sacrifices.
“Nigeria salutes your sacrifice,” he said.
He thanked traditional rulers, faith leaders and community health workers for their support of peace and reconciliation, acknowledging that “the government cannot do it alone.”
Democracy without security is not solid enough
The president acknowledged that the mood of this year’s Democracy Day celebration was dampened by the abduction of schoolchildren across the country.
“Though this year’s mood is dampened by the abduction of our children, we remain hopeful for their safe return,” he said.
Tinubu declared that democracy without security is not solid enough, announcing that his administration had chosen both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies to restore peace.
He said the government had declared a security emergency and approved the recruitment of 50,000 new police officers and thousands of military recruits.
The president noted that the 2026 budget commits 5.41 trillion naira – the largest ever – to defence and security.
“We have moved from training with our allies to precision targeting. We have degraded ISWAP command centres. Terror-related deaths have been neutralised in the past year,” he said.
Window for surrender will not remain open forever
Tinubu issued a stern ultimatum to bandits, kidnappers and sponsors of terror.
“To bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror: surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian state,” he said.
“These windows of surrender will not remain open forever. No mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians.”
The president noted that over 4,000 fighters and their dependents had laid down arms since 2023 through Operation Safe Corridor.
“We turn our former enemies into citizens because every life saved is a fresh day for democracy,” he said.
He also called for national unity in the fight against insecurity.
“Let us set aside blame or point fingers. Crime has no ethnicity. We must stand united and be assured that the enemies of our nation shall soon be history,” Tinubu said.
New university named after Yar’Adua
Tinubu announced 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.
He said the move honoured the late general, describing him as one of the architects of modern democratic Nigeria.
“Among the architects of modern democratic Nigeria, we honour General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua for his vision of national partnership,” Tinubu said.
National awards for democracy heroes
The president announced national awards for dozens of Nigerians who suffered persecution, imprisonment, exile and solitary confinement during the struggle for democracy.
“I am pleased to announce national awards to the following Nigerians, who suffered persecution, endured indignities, exile, incarceration, and, at times, solitary confinement, so that we have democracy today,” he said.
Civilians honoured:
Barrister Ayoka Lawani, Tunde Fagbenle, Oladele Alake, Olatunji Bello, Louis Odion, Segun Babatope, Sam Omatseye, Sir Ademola Osinubi, Bola Bolawole, Lade Bonuola, Femi Kusa, Debo Adeniran, Chief Ayo Opadokun, Chief Ralph Obiora, Ose Osayande, Barrister Osa Director, Prof. Sylvester Odion-Akhaine, Dr Osagie Obayuwana, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, Barrister Titus Mann, Joe Igbokwe, Richard Akinnola, George Mbah, Dr Niran Malaolu, Major-General Ishola Williams (retired), Femi Aborisade, Jenkins Alumona, Gbemiga Ogunleye, Muyiwa Adekeye, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, and Ike Okonta.
Posthumous awards:
Dr Arthur Nwankwo and Ben Charles-Obi.
Soldier-democrats recognised:
Major General M.A. Garba, Brigadier General Lawal Jaafaru Isa, Colonel Umar Farouk Ahmed, Colonel Sambo Dasuki, Colonel Lawan Gwadabe, Brigadier Jonathan Ndam Temlong, Colonel Musa Shehu, Major General Chris Eze, Major General Harris Dzarma, Colonel Isa Jibrin, Major General Joseph Oshanupin, Colonel Olusegun Oloruntoba (Olugbede of Gbede Kingdom), Lieutenant Colonel Happy Kefas Bulus, Colonel J. Okai, Colonel Emmanuel Ndubueze, Lieutenant Colonel Yakubu Muazu, and Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar (the current Etsu Nupe, who already holds the CFR title).
The full honours list will be released in the coming days, Tinubu said.
‘Nigerians do not break’
Reflecting on 27 years of democracy, Tinubu said many had doubted democracy would survive in Nigeria because of its diversity.
“Fellow Nigerians, 27 years ago, many doubted democracy would survive here because of our diversity. Today, our diversity sustains our democracy,” he said.
“The road ahead is steep. But June 12 reminds us: Nigerians do not break. We bend, we bleed, but we do not break.”
He called on Nigerians to renew their covenant that the labours of past heroes shall never be in vain.
“Let us renew our covenant: That the labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from this land,” Tinubu said.
He ended with a prayer: “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.”
