ABUJA, Nigeria — The Federal Government has declared Thursday, June 12, 2025, a public holiday to commemorate Nigeria’s 2025 Democracy Day celebration, marking 26 uninterrupted years of civilian rule in Africa’s most populous nation.
The announcement was made in a statement issued on Sunday by Magdalene Ajani, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior.
According to the statement, the declaration was made on behalf of the federal government by the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
In his message, Tunji-Ojo congratulated Nigerians for their enduring commitment to democratic governance since the country returned to civil rule in 1999.
“June 12 represents our historic journey to building a nation where truth and justice reign, peace is sustained, and our future assured,” he said.
He described the past 26 years as a testament to Nigeria’s “resilience, strength and courage” and expressed optimism that the nation’s democratic future remains strong under the “Renewed Hope” administration of President Bola Tinubu.
The minister reiterated the current administration’s dedication to democratic ideals rooted in the freely expressed will of the Nigerian people in determining the country’s political, economic, social and cultural systems.
This year’s Democracy Day commemorations are expected to include national speeches, civic activities, and moments of reflection on the legacy of June 12, the date of Nigeria’s annulled 1993 presidential election, widely regarded as the freest and fairest in the country’s history.
