By Seyi Gesinde
June 12, 2026
President Bola Tinubu has called on young Nigerians to remain in the country and take active roles in its development, urging them to channel their skills into building enterprises, creating solutions, and strengthening democratic participation rather than seeking opportunities abroad.
In his Democracy Day address marking 27 years of uninterrupted civilian rule since 1999, the President positioned young people as central to Nigeria’s future stability and prosperity, stressing that national renewal depends heavily on domestic talent and civic engagement.
“Nigeria is your home and your future. Build here, code here, work here, and vote here,” he said, directly appealing to the country’s youth to invest their creativity and energy within the nation.
He further warned against what he described as a growing mindset of disengagement and outward migration in response to domestic challenges, stating, “Every great nation was built by those who stayed to solve problems, not by those who abandoned ship.”
Tinubu’s remarks formed part of a broader Democracy Day address in which he also reflected on Nigeria’s democratic journey since 1999, describing it as the longest uninterrupted period of civilian rule in the nation’s history.
He said Nigeria’s democracy, while imperfect, has been sustained through peaceful transitions of power, electoral processes, and institutional dispute resolution rather than violence.
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The President also used the occasion to urge stronger participation in governance by key institutions, describing the National Assembly, judiciary, media, and civil society as essential “guardrails of our republic” that must continue to provide oversight and accountability.
On security, Tinubu acknowledged ongoing threats, including recent abductions in parts of Oyo and Borno States, while stating that government has intensified military operations, expanded recruitment into security agencies, and declared a security emergency to strengthen national response capacity.
“Democracy without security is not solid enough,” he said, linking stability directly to the survival of democratic governance.
On the economy, the President defended reforms introduced since 2023, describing them as necessary steps to correct structural weaknesses, restore fiscal stability, and attract investment, even as he acknowledged that many Nigerians continue to face hardship.
He said improved revenue generation, investor confidence, and reforms in key sectors such as electricity, agriculture, and infrastructure are beginning to show progress.
Tinubu also emphasised the importance of credible elections, urging the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, and political stakeholders to ensure peaceful and transparent governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States.
“Democracy fails when citizens doubt the process,” he warned, stressing that electoral integrity remains fundamental to national stability.
He paid tribute to pro-democracy figures of the June 12 struggle, including Chief M K O Abiola and other activists whose sacrifices, he said, secured Nigeria’s political freedom.
The President concluded by reiterating that democracy must deliver tangible improvements in citizens’ lives, particularly in jobs, infrastructure, education, and opportunity, while urging unity and national purpose across all segments of society.
