June 12, 2025, Abuja, is Democracy Day in Nigeria, which honors the lasting impact of the historic June 12, 1993, presidential election and marks 26 years of continuous civilian administration.
Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola was declared the presumptive winner of the 1993 election, which is widely considered to be the freest and fairest in Nigerian history. Even though the military regime at the time declared the results to be invalid, Abiola’s triumph nevertheless serves as a reminder of Nigeria’s protracted and tumultuous path toward democratic democracy.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari formally proclaimed June 12 a national holiday in 2018 in honor of this significant occasion. Since then, the occasion has evolved into a celebration of the country’s democratic strength and a somber commemoration of the sacrifices made by pro-democracy campaigners.
The Federal Government has designated Thursday, June 12, as a public holiday in honor of the 2025 anniversary, and a number of national commemorative activities are scheduled. On Wednesday, June 11, a public lecture examined Nigeria’s democratic development and the contribution of young people to maintaining governance.
The celebrations will culminate in a huge parade at Eagle Square in Abuja, which will include civil society participation, cultural exhibits, and a military march past. At 7 a.m., President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is scheduled to give a national broadcast in which he will discuss the nation’s democratic advancements and his administration’s pledges to national unity, good governance, and civic engagement.
This year’s Democracy Day honors MKO Abiola and the 1993 election while also reaffirming Nigeria’s dedication to freedom, justice, and the rule of law as the nation considers its transition from military dictatorship to democracy.
