The Federal Government has declared Thursday, June 12, 2025, as a public holiday to mark this year’s Democracy Day celebration.
This announcement came in a statement of Sunday by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Magdalene Ajani, who said the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government.
The Minister congratulated Nigerians on 26 years of uninterrupted democratic governance.
“June 12 represents our historic journey to building a nation where truth and justice reign, peace is sustained, and our future assured. The last 26 years tell the story of our resilience, strength, and courage—and a hope renewed like never before,” Tunji-Ojo said.
He reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope administration to upholding the universal values of democracy, which, he said, must be rooted in the freely expressed will of the people in determining Nigeria’s political, economic, social, and cultural systems.
The announcement, made through the Ministry of Interior on Sunday, comes as the second national holiday of the week, following the earlier declaration of Monday, June 9, as a public holiday for the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
In a statement released in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Magdalene Ajani, confirmed the declaration. She noted that the holiday was announced by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on behalf of the federal government.
According to Tunji-Ojo, the June 12 observance is a reminder of the nation’s ongoing democratic journey and the values that underpin it. “June 12 represents our historic journey to building a nation where truth and justice reign and peace is sustained and our future assured,” he stated.
He reiterated the importance of reflecting on the past 26 years of civilian rule, describing them as a testament to the country’s ability to overcome challenges and maintain democratic governance.
“The last 26 years tell the story of our resilience, strength and courage and a hope renewed than ever,” he added.
The Minister reaffirmed the current administration’s commitment to democratic ideals under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu.
He said the Federal Government would continue to uphold the universal values of democracy, including respect for the will of the people in shaping Nigeria’s political, economic, and social systems.
Although new regimes are inaugurated on May 29, June 12 was formally adopted as Nigeria’s Democracy Day in 2018 to honour the memory of the 1993 presidential election.
The undeclared and annulled election was won by Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola and is widely regarded as the country’s freest and fairest vote.
Equally, the holiday acknowledges the struggle for democratic governance.
