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President Muhammadu Buhari’s Democracy Day Speech
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SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE OCCASION OF COMMEMORATION AND CELEBRATION OF DEMOCRACY DAY ON 12TH JUNE, 2021
Fellow Nigerians,
I join you all today to commemorate and celebrate our Democracy Day. It is a celebration of freedom and a victory for one people, one country and one Nigeria.
As with all democracies we will always be going through improvement processes in our desire to reach the goal of a mature democracy, a strong, evolved and integrated nation-state to be reckoned with globally.
In the last two years we have witnessed and overcome a good number of testy challenges that would have destroyed other nations especially relating to our collective security.
The indefatigable CAN DO Spirit of the Nigerian has sustained us and would keep pushing us to put these challenges behind us.
Unfortunately some of these challenges came in the shape of violent outrages leading to the loss of lives of many of our dear compatriots and the destruction of some of our infrastructure, including those devoted to improving our democratic processes.
Once again, I want to render my sincere and heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of our gallant servicemen and women who lost their lives in the line of duty and as a sacrifice to keep Nigeria safe.
I extend the same condolence to the families and friends of our countrymen, women and children who were unfortunate victims of such senseless arsons, kidnappings and murders.
I also share the pains of families and direct victims of ransom-seeking, kidnapped victims who went through unimaginable trauma in the course of their forced imprisonment.
Let me assure my fellow citizens that every incident, however minor gives me great worry and concern and I immediately order security agencies to swiftly but safely rescue victims and bring perpetrators to justice.
Fellow Nigerians,
When you elected me as your President in 2015, you did so knowing that I will put an end to the growing insecurity, especially the insurgency in the North East, but the unintended consequences of our scattering them in the North East pushed them further in-country which is what we are now facing and dealing with.
We will, by the Grace of God put an end to these challenges too.
Unfortunately, like in most conflict situations, some Nigerian criminals are taking undue advantage of a difficult situation and profiteering therefrom with the misguided belief that adherence to the democratic norms handicaps this Administration from frontally and decisively tackling them.
We are already addressing these obstacles and we will soon bring some of these culprits to justice.
We are, at the same time addressing the twin underlying drivers of insecurity namely poverty and youth unemployment.
Interventions led by the government and the Central Bank of Nigeria driving economic growth over the past 6 years are targeted mostly to the agricultural, services, infrastructure, power and health care sectors of the economy.
In the Agricultural sector, for instance, the Anchor Borrowers Programme resulted in sharp decline in the nation’s major food import bill from $2.23billion in 2014 to US$0.59billion by the end of 2018.
This initiative supported local production of rice, maize, cotton and cassava. The government financed 2.5 million small-holder farmers cultivating about 3.2 million hectares of farmland all over the country and created 10 million direct and indirect jobs.
Several other initiatives, namely AgriBusiness/Small and Medium Enterprise Investment Scheme, the Non-oil Export stimulation Facility, the Targeted Credit Facilities operated across the 774 Local Governments.
In the manufacturing sector the CBN – BOI N200 billion facility financed the establishment and operations of 60 new industrial hubs across the country, creating an estimated 890,000 direct and indirect jobs.
The CBN’s N50 billion Textile Sector intervention Facility increased capacity utilization of ginneries from 30% to nearly 90%.
The Economic Sustainability Plan – our rebound plan for the COVID-19 pandemic developed in 2020 is currently being executed. The plan is primarily focused on the non-oil sector, which has recorded phenomenal growth contributing over 90% to the GDP growth in Q1 2021
Though marginal we have recorded GDP growth over two quarters; Q2 2020 and Q1 2021. This is evidence of a successful execution of the ESP by the Federal Government.
My vision of pulling 100 million poor Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years has been put into action and can be seen in the National Social Investment Programme, a first in Africa and one of the largest in the world where over 32.6m beneficiaries are taking part. We now have a National Social register of poor and vulnerable households, identified across 708 local government areas, 8,723 wards and 86,610 communities in the 36 States and the FCT.
Our conditional cash transfer program has benefited over 1.6 million poor and vulnerable households comprising more than 8 million individuals. This provides a monthly stipend of N10,000 per household.
I have also recently approved the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy Plan that augments existing plans to further reduce poverty in Nigeria.
As at the end of 2020, the Development Bank of Nigeria had disbursed 324 billion Naira in loans to more than 136,000 MSMEs, through 40 participating Financial Institutions. I am to note that 57% of these beneficiaries are women while 27% are the youth.
We are able to do all these and still accelerate our infrastructure development through sensible and transparent borrowing, improved capital inflow, improving and increasing revenue through capturing more tax bases and prudent management of investment proceeds in the Sovereign Wealth Fund.
Fellow Nigerians, our infrastructure revolution continues with key projects attaining critical milestones under the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund; The Second Niger Bridge, The Lagos- Ibadan Expressway and the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Expressway.
I have also approved the establishment of Infraco Plc, a world-class infrastructure development vehicle wholly focused on Nigeria with a capital structure of N15 trillion.
The rail system is not left out as the Itakpe-Warri standard gauge rail was completed and commissioned 33 years after construction began. The Lagos-Ibadan double track railway line which I have just commissioned has commenced operations.
We are focused on ensuring that our infrastructure drive is key to economic growth and one that can be felt by every Nigerian. Building critical infrastructure in our ports is also opening up opportunities for the Nigerian economy.
My approval for 4 new seaports using a Public-Private-Partnership approach is hinged on growing the Nigerian economy. These four sea ports; Lekki Deep Sea Port, Bonny Deep Sea Port, Ibom Deep Sea Port and Warri Deep Sea port will create massive job opportunities and foreign investment inflows.
We have worked at deepening our Eastern ports leading to success like having three container ships berth at Calabar port, a first in 11 years. Similarly, on October 30 2019, an LPG tanker operated by NLNG berthed in Port Harcourt, the first time an LPG ship is berthing at any of the Eastern Ports.
As we invest in these new assets, we have also made strides in ensuring that they are secured and protected. In this regard I am also pleased to note the launch of the NIMASA Deep Blue project – which is an Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure that I recently commissioned. This initiative is designed to add to the layer of security we have to safeguard our maritime sector.
Dear Nigerians, I will be the first to admit that in spite of our efforts and achievements which are there for all to see, there is still much more to be done and we are doing our best in the face of scarce resources and galloping population growth rate that consistently outstrips our capacity to provide jobs for our populace. Our over-all economic target of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years is our goal notwithstanding COVID-19.
In the last two years we lifted 10.5 million people out of poverty – farmers, small-scale traders, artisans, market women and the like.
I am very convinced that this 100 million target can be met and this informed the development of a National poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy. The specific details of this accelerated strategy will be unveiled shortly.
In the last one year, Nigeria and the whole world faced COVID-19 for which no one was fully prepared.
Our response to the pandemic involved making hard choices in balancing livelihoods and public health concerns. You are all living witnesses to how successful this has been due to a number of pro-active measures put in place. Our response to COVID-19 is globally acclaimed.
We were able to ensure that the various lockdown measures did not impact too negatively on the ability of ordinary Nigerians to continue sustaining their livelihoods.
During the pandemic, we disbursed N5,000 to 1 million Nigerians using a Rapid Response Register and advanced N20,000 to 750,000 beneficiaries of the Conditional Cash Transfer Progamme and provided 1.37 million Nigerians with palliatives from CACOVID.
At the same time the Federal Government released 109,000 metric tonnes of food reserve stocks and 70,000 metric tonnes of grains to the poor and vulnerable in all 36 states of the federation.
In addition, Government reduced interest rates from 9% to 5% for struggling businesses and extended credit facilities to 548,345 beneficiaries.
Fellow Nigerians, when this administration decided to change our Democracy Day from 29th May to June 12th in my first tenure, it was not only to honour the sacrifices of the men and women of our country who fought for the return to democracy but also to demonstrate our commitment to satisfy the aspirations of the people and creating an environment for democracy to be an accepted way of life.
As your President, I remain committed to providing an enabling environment for a free, fair and credible electoral system under my tenure.
However, you need to play your part by getting involved at any level you can supporting a democratic system that works for all and not for a section or a select few and demand accountability from your elected leaders.
My commitment to bequeathing a sustainable democratic culture remains resolute, my pursuit of a fair society remains unshaken and my desire to see that Nigeria remains a country for each and every one of us has never been stronger.
In responding to the challenges that this period imposes on us, Government also recognises the need to acknowledge notions of marginalisation and agitations for constitutional amendments among various segments of our population.
While this government is not averse to constitutional reform as part of our nation building process, everyone must understand that the primary responsibility for constitutional amendments lies with the National Assembly.
This body which, as I said, is the arm of government responsible for constitutional changes has concluded the preliminary stages of amending and improving our constitution in a way that the majority of Nigerians will be happy with.
Government is, however, willing to play a critical role in the constitutional amendment process without usurping the powers of the National Assembly in this regard.
As a nation we have come very far from where we started and we are getting incrementally closer to where we ought to be.
Overcoming the present challenges is but one of a necessary process that we have to undergo as a nation so that we can come out stronger. The day I joined the Nigerian Army I was prepared to lay down my life for Nigeria.
As your President I remain ever committed to upholding and defending Nigeria’s Corporate existence.
In adhering to the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy notably section 14(2)(b) I shall do all within my power to ensure that the Security and welfare of the people remain the primary purpose of government.
I have, throughout my tenure, provided the security agencies with all they require relative to available resources and will be providing more as the dynamics unfold to put an end to our security problems.
My strong belief in the Nigerian spirit gives me comfort that we are facing these challenges with renewed commitment to keep our country one.
I thank you for your patience and attention and more importantly your resolve to join hands in making Nigeria the country of our dream.
Happy Democracy Day! God Bless us All, God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Former Tottenham, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain boss Pochettino would have an enormous task on his hands to revive a club that has never recovered from the departure of Alex Ferguson 13 years ago.
The Red Devils, once the dominant force in English football, have been overtaken by Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal.
United’s next game is against fierce rivals Liverpool at Anfield on November 22.
President Bola Tinubu has rewarded each player of the Flamingos with a savings certificate worth N100 million, after the team became the first African nation to win the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup.
The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, announced the awards at a reception at the Presidential Banquet Hall, Abuja, where she represented the President.
The head coach is to receive N100 million in cash, while each member of the technical crew gets N50 million.
She praised the team for winning six consecutive matches, and for the humility, discipline and respect they showed after the final.
Senator Tinubu said the victory would inspire young girls and show that their ambitions can be realised on the world stage.
She also commended the coaches, technical and medical staff, administrators, parents and fans for their contributions.
The U-17 team won their first FIFA World Cup title after defeating Japan 2-1 in the final on November 7, with goals from Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku securing the historic victory.
The Flamingos lost their opener 2-1 to Poland, but dominated in the remaining matches, defeating defending champions North Korea, Puerto Rico, and Mexico.
Their first-ever appearance in the final was sealed with a 3-1 victory over Brazil, before taking home the trophy after beating Japan.
The players have received commendations from government officials and football fans around the world.
President Tinubu congratulated the Flamingos for becoming the first African team to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Tinubu, in a statement by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, said he received the news upon his return from campaign engagements in Akwa Ibom and Rivers States.
He also described Nigeria’s maiden triumph as a proud moment for the country and a landmark achievement for African women’s football.
The Senate also pledged a N100 million reward for the Flamingos.
The pledge followed a motion moved by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Abdul Ningi, who congratulated the players on their outstanding performance and commended the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for its role in the team’s achievement.
The latest feat by a Nigerian sports team came less than two years after the senior women’s football team, Super Falcons, won their 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title in Morocco.
In 2025, the D’Tigress won a historic 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket title.
President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, unveiled an ambitious economic and development agenda to be implemented between 2027–2031 if re-elected at next year’s election.
Key highlights of the president’s new promises to Nigerians include an economy worth more than $1 trillion by 2030, electricity generation exceeding 10,000 megawatts, one million export-linked jobs and accelerated economic growth of six per cent annually.
These were contained in the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027-2023 presidential campaign manifesto unveiled on in Abuja on Tuesday by Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment and Deputy Director of Manifesto and Policy Development of the APC 2027 Presidential Campaign Council
The manifesto, according to the Oduwole, seeks to move Nigeria from the period of economic reforms to an era of shared prosperity, improved living standards and expanded opportunities for citizens.
Speaking at the event attended by Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, ministers and advisers, Oduwole outlined the manifesto’s major policy direction, achievements of the Tinubu administration and specific commitments for the proposed second term.
She explained that the manifesto is designed around the administration’s ambition to translate the economic reforms introduced over the last three and a half years into tangible benefits for Nigerians.
According to her, President Tinubu believes the country has reached an important turning point and is now positioned to move from reforms to shared prosperity underpinned by economic growth.
She said the President’s vision is to build a country that works for every Nigerian, irrespective of social or economic background.
“The promise is that Nigeria is moving from reforms to prosperity,” Oduwole said, explaining that the President thanked Nigerians for their patience and resilience during the reform period, promising a new phase of shared prosperity.
Four pillars of Tinubu’s 2027–2031 agenda
Oduwole said the manifesto is structured around four strategic pillars designed to address the country’s most pressing challenges and deliver measurable improvements in the lives of Nigerians.
They are a secure and resilient nation; better quality of life and a more affordable existence for Nigerians; energy, infrastructure and economic growth; and effective and accountable governance.
She explained that the four pillars were developed after consultations with a broad range of stakeholders, including members of the Federal Executive Council, the National Assembly, State governments, heads of government agencies, development partners, social groups, APC officials, women, persons with disabilities and the Nigerian media.
According to her, the consultations lasted approximately six weeks and were intended to ensure that the manifesto reflects the expectations and aspirations of Nigerians rather than the assumptions of government officials.
Oduwole said the document also drew from the eight priority areas of the Renewed Hope Agenda unveiled by Tinubu in 2023.
She listed the original priorities as economic reforms for sustained and inclusive growth; strengthening national security; boosting agriculture and food security; unlocking energy and natural resources; expanding infrastructure and transportation; investing in education, healthcare and social development; diversifying the economy through industry, digital technology, creative industries and manufacturing; and improving governance and public service delivery.
She disclosed that the administration’s performance against the 2023 promises has been tracked by the Central Results Coordinating and Delivery Unit (CRCDU), led by Hadiza Bala Usman.
Oduwole said the campaign council also made efforts to ensure that the claims and achievements contained in the manifesto could be independently examined and fact-checked.
She described the document as non-exhaustive, despite running into 109 pages, adding that there are several other achievements of the administration that could not be accommodated in the presentation.
Security: Stronger protection against terrorism, banditry
Under the first pillar, Oduwole said the Tinubu administration would prioritise safer communities, stronger protection against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping, more responsive policing and improved border security.
She described security as the fundamental covenant between a nation and its citizens, arguing that Nigerians must be able to live, work, learn, farm, trade and travel without fear.
She said the administration’s objective is to create safer citizens, more resilient communities and secure borders, allowing Nigerians to pursue their livelihoods and ambitions with greater confidence.
Among the commitments for 2027–2031 are stronger protection against security threats, improved police response and enhanced security for communities across the country.
She also highlighted existing interventions, including rescued hostages, farmer-herder dispute resolution through mediation and the training of community policing officers.
Food security, healthcare and affordable housing
Under the second pillar, the APC manifesto promises improved living standards through investments in education, healthcare, affordable food and housing.
Oduwole said the administration would intensify efforts to reduce the cost of living, expand domestic food production, improve storage and processing facilities, and reduce post-harvest losses.
She disclosed that the government intends to halve post-harvest losses while improving the movement of goods between states to make food and other essential commodities more affordable.
According to her, the administration also plans to establish a monthly food price tracker to provide families and farmers with reliable information about changing food prices.
On education, she announced plans to halve the number of out-of-school children by 2031 and recruit and train an additional 20,000 teachers.
She said the administration would also expand access to healthcare, targeting health insurance coverage for 40 per cent of Nigerians by 2031.
Highlighting existing interventions, Oduwole disclosed that the number of Nigerians covered by health insurance had increased from 16.7 million to 23 million.
She also cited government support for 7.1 million girls through the AGIA programme and interventions for expectant mothers.
The minister further referenced the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which has provided financial support to students pursuing higher education.
She said the administration would sustain interventions aimed at improving access to education and healthcare while expanding opportunities for vulnerable groups.
Tinubu targets over 10,000mw electricity generation
A major component of the manifesto is the commitment to improve electricity supply as a foundation for industrialisation, business expansion and economic prosperity.
Oduwole said the administration plans to scale available electricity generation beyond 10,000 megawatts, alongside efforts by State governments to increase power supply.
She said the government would expand electricity metering towards full coverage while reinforcing transmission and distribution networks.
The manifesto also promises to extend access to clean energy in underserved communities.
According to her, reliable electricity is essential to the administration’s ambition of transforming Nigeria into a productive economy where businesses can operate efficiently, industries can expand and households enjoy better living conditions.
She stressed that economic prosperity would depend on the ability of Nigerian businesses to produce goods, access markets, attract investment and compete internationally.
“Power that works, infrastructure that connects, farms and factories that produce, businesses that grow, jobs that pay, and an economy that creates opportunity for every Nigerian,” she said in describing the administration’s vision.
One million export-linked jobs, stronger manufacturing
Oduwole said the third pillar would focus on energy, infrastructure and economic growth, with particular emphasis on industrialisation, trade, investment and economic diversification.
She disclosed that the administration plans to generate one million export-linked jobs for Nigerians by 2030 through talent and services exports.
The manifesto also targets annual economic growth of six per cent, increased manufacturing output and stronger participation of Nigerian businesses in African and international markets.
According to her, the government intends to establish at least one anchor industrial cluster in each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
The clusters are expected to strengthen manufacturing capacity, stimulate investment, create employment and promote the production of goods for domestic consumption and export.
She said the administration is also targeting manufacturing contributions of at least 12 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
On non-oil exports, Oduwole announced plans to increase annual earnings to at least $15 billion.
She described the expansion of non-oil exports as an important achievement of the Tinubu administration, claiming that the growth rate of non-oil exports has exceeded that of total exports for the first time in Nigeria’s history under the current administration.
She also disclosed that more than 350,000 first-time borrowers have gained access to structured credit, with women accounting for 59 per cent of the beneficiaries.
The initiative, she said, is part of efforts to expand financial inclusion and provide more Nigerians with opportunities to participate in productive economic activities.
Oduwole further cited improvements in rail transportation, direct agricultural inputs to farmers and a reduction in estimated electricity billing as examples of interventions already undertaken by the administration.
The manifesto also promises stronger trade and investment facilitation, with the government committed to ensuring that investment pledges translate into actual business operations.
She said more Nigerian products would be manufactured locally and purchased by Nigerians, while non-oil exports would gain greater access to African and international markets.
Youth unemployment to be halved
Another major commitment in the manifesto is the creation of more employment opportunities and improvements in real incomes.
Oduwole said the administration intends to accelerate annual economic growth to six per cent and halve youth unemployment.
The manifesto also promises to expand access to equitable credit, with the target of reaching half of all economically active Nigerians.
She explained that the strategy is to link economic growth directly to employment generation and improved household incomes.
According to her, the government wants to establish a production-driven economy in which investments in infrastructure, energy, agriculture and manufacturing translate into better-paying jobs.
She said the administration’s economic philosophy was to transform stability into production, production into markets, markets into jobs and jobs into sustainable prosperity.
Affordable housing and land security
The APC manifesto also promises expanded access to affordable housing and secure land ownership.
Oduwole identified housing as an important component of improving the quality of life of Nigerians, alongside food security, education and healthcare.
The government intends to improve access to affordable homes while addressing issues surrounding land administration and security of tenure.
The manifesto’s broader social development objectives also include improving access to basic services and ensuring that economic growth benefits ordinary citizens.
Accountability, judicial reforms and local government autonomy
On the fourth pillar, Oduwole said the Tinubu administration would strengthen governance institutions, improve public service delivery and promote accountability at all levels of government.
She disclosed that the manifesto included plans to publish service standards and response times to make government agencies more accountable to citizens.
The administration also intends to expand digital case management across the country and automate consular services.
On access to justice, she said Nigerians unable to afford legal representation would benefit from indigent legal aid, while alternative dispute resolution mechanisms would be expanded to enable parties to resolve disputes without necessarily going through lengthy court proceedings.
She also highlighted plans to improve the national identity database and strengthen financial autonomy across the country.
On local government administration, Oduwole said allocations to every council would be published alongside clear performance and accountability standards.
The commitment is expected to strengthen transparency in the management of local government resources and improve service delivery at the grassroots.
Beyond $1 trillion economy by 2030
Oduwole reiterated Tinubu’s ambition to build a $1 trillion economy by 2030, saying the administration intended to exceed the target.
She, however, stressed that the more important objective was to ensure that economic expansion translated into quality employment and improved living conditions across the country.
She said the four pillars and eight priority areas were designed to provide a clear roadmap for achieving that objective.
According to her, the manifesto represents a continuation of the Renewed Hope Agenda, with greater emphasis on translating economic reforms into measurable prosperity.
She said the administration wanted Nigerians to experience the benefits of economic growth through reliable electricity, affordable food, better infrastructure, stronger industries, quality jobs and improved public services.
Oduwole said the manifesto was ultimately guided by the aspirations expressed in Nigeria’s national prayer.
Quoting the national prayer, she said: “Help us to build a nation where no one is oppressed, and so with peace and plenty, Nigeria may be blessed.”
She described the statement as the central ethos of the manifesto, adding that the four pillars, eight priorities and commitments for 2027–2031 were developed around a single national purpose.
The central message of Tinubu’s proposed second-term agenda, as presented by Oduwole, is that the period of difficult economic adjustments should give way to a phase in which economic growth produces jobs, stronger purchasing power, improved public services and shared prosperity.
