The Federal government has declared Thursday, June 12, a public holiday to mark this year’s Democracy Day.
The announcement was made on Sunday by Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, through a statement signed by Magdalene Ajani, the ministry’s permanent secretary.
Tunji-Ojo congratulated Nigerians on 26 years of uninterrupted democratic rule, describing it as a testament to the nation’s “resilience, courage, and strength.”
“June 12 represents our historic journey to building a nation where truth and justice reign, peace is sustained, and our future is assured,” the statement read.
He added that under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria remains committed to democratic values where citizens’ choices shape the country’s political, economic, and cultural future.
This announcement means Nigerians will enjoy two public holidays within the week of June 8–15. Monday, June 9, had already been declared a public holiday to celebrate the Islamic festival of Eid-el-Kabir.
Democracy Day, celebrated annually on June 12, commemorates the annulled 1993 presidential election widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest.