President Bola Tinubu has pledged tougher action against insecurity while reaffirming his administration’s commitment to economic recovery and democratic governance in a nationwide broadcast marking the 2026 Democracy Day celebration.
Addressing Nigerians, the President said the country’s 27 years of uninterrupted civilian rule reflected the resilience of its democratic institutions and urged citizens to remain united in protecting and strengthening them.
Tinubu called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies and political actors to ensure peaceful and credible elections in Ekiti and Osun states, warning that democracy is weakened when citizens lose confidence in the electoral process.
He urged young Nigerians to remain in the country, build their future at home, and actively participate in governance and elections, stressing that national progress depends on collective responsibility.
The President commended the armed forces, police, intelligence agencies, traditional rulers and faith leaders for their roles in maintaining peace and supporting national unity.
Tinubu paid tribute to the heroes of the June 12 struggle, including Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola and Kudirat Abiola, as well as other patriots who endured persecution, exile, imprisonment and death in the fight for democracy.
He expressed concern over recent abductions in Oyo and Borno states but assured Nigerians that efforts were ongoing to secure the safe return of the victims.
He said democracy cannot thrive without security.
On national security, Tinubu announced a security emergency and said over 50,000 police officers would be recruited, alongside increased military enlistment, to strengthen the country’s security architecture.
He added that the 2026 budget includes N5.41 trillion for defence and security.
The President issued a strong warning to criminals, saying bandits, kidnappers and their sponsors must surrender or face the full force of the law, adding that the government would no longer tolerate attacks on innocent Nigerians.
He said security operations have recorded significant gains, including the degradation of terrorist infrastructure in parts of the North-East, a reported decline in terror-related deaths since 2015, and the surrender of over 124,000 fighters and dependents under Operation Safe Corridor since 2023.
On the economy, Tinubu defended ongoing reforms introduced since 2023, saying they were necessary to restore fiscal stability, improve transparency and attract investment.
He said federation revenues have increased, fiscal leakage has reduced, and investor confidence has returned across key sectors.
He noted growth in agriculture, energy, manufacturing, mining, transportation and the creative economy, while stressing that reforms were beginning to deliver long-term stability.
The President said domestic refining capacity had improved, strengthening energy security and reducing dependence on imported petroleum products.
On the power sector, Tinubu said the Electricity Act had empowered states to participate in electricity generation and distribution.
He added that efforts were ongoing to reduce the metering deficit and resolve legacy debts through a planned N4 trillion bond, while rural electrification projects supported by the World Bank and African Development Bank are expanding access to underserved communities.
He acknowledged that many Nigerians are still facing economic hardship but said the government remains focused on reducing inflation, expanding food production, creating jobs and improving living standards.
Tinubu said democracy must be felt in the pocket of every Nigerian, adding that reforms are aimed at ensuring that economic growth translates into real-life improvements for citizens.
He also emphasized the importance of strengthening local governance, announcing efforts to secure financial autonomy for Nigeria’s 774 local government councils to improve grassroots development and security delivery.
The President announced that the completed Institute of Petroleum Studies in Kaduna would be renamed the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology in honour of Shehu Musa Yar’Adua.
Tinubu further revealed national honours for several pro-democracy activists, journalists, and soldier-democrats who played key roles in the struggle for June 12 democracy.
He concluded by urging Nigerians to reject division, cynicism and despair, and to embrace unity, hope and shared responsibility, saying the nation’s current generation must transform political freedom into economic prosperity.
