Today, we celebrate not only democracy but also the enduring Nigerian spirit. For 27 unbroken years, since May 29, 1999, Nigerians have chosen their leaders through the ballot, witnessed peaceful transitions of power, and resolved disagreements in courtrooms and legislative chambers—not through violence. We have experienced the longest stretch of civilian rule in our history. Our democracy is not perfect, but it is ours, and we must continue to defend and strengthen it.

In the coming days, Ekiti and Osun States will hold elections. I urge INEC, security agencies, and all parties to ensure these polls are peaceful and credible. Democracy fails when citizens doubt the process. To our National Assembly, Judiciary, the Press, and Civil Society: you are the guardrails of our republic. Criticise me, disagree with me, but never stop believing in Nigeria.

To our young people: Nigeria is your home and your future. Build here, code here, work here, and vote here. Every great nation was built by those who stayed to solve problems, not by those who abandoned ship.

To our armed forces, police, and intelligence services: Nigeria salutes your sacrifice. To our traditional rulers, faith leaders, and community heads: thank you for your support of peace and reconciliation. The government cannot do it alone.

Today, we honour the resilience of Nigerians who refused to surrender their faith in freedom, and the courage of those who stood firm against intimidation. We pay tribute to patriots who endured persecution, imprisonment, exile, and even death so that future generations could enjoy democracy. I salute labour leaders, journalists, activists, students, women, professionals, political leaders, and soldiers—both those who have passed and those still with us—for their patriotic contributions.

Though this year’s mood is dampened by the abduction of our children in Oyo and Borno, we remain hopeful for their safe return. Democracy without security is a mirage. That is why this administration declared a security emergency and approved the recruitment of more than 50,000 new police officers and thousands of military recruits. Our 2026 budget commits N5.41 trillion—our largest ever—to defence and security. Our administration is ever ready to do much more to secure our people.

We have moved from training with our allies, the United States, France and other European countries, to precision targeting. In Arege, Borno State, we degraded ISWAP’s command centre. Terror-related deaths are down by 81% since 2015. Over 13,000 terrorists have been neutralised in the past year. But we also keep the door of surrender open. Over 124,000 fighters and dependents have laid down their arms since 2023 through Operation Safe Corridor.

To bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror: Surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State. These windows of surrender will not remain open forever. No mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians.

At a time like this, let us not assign blame or point fingers. Crime has no ethnicity. We must stand united and be assured that the enemies of our nation shall soon be history. We will triumph over terror and continue to build a more prosperous nation.

June 12 occupies a sacred place in our national memory. It represents more than an election; it is a defining chapter in our story. We remember Chief M.K.O. Abiola, who won a pan-Nigerian mandate transcending ethnicity and religion. We remember Alhaja Kudirat Abiola.

We also remember Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Alfred Rewane, Pa Abraham Adesanya, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Commodore Dan Suleiman, Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti, Frank Kokori, Arthur Nwankwo, Chima Ubani, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, and the many other heroes and heroines of democracy whose sacrifices helped secure the freedoms we enjoy today.

As beneficiaries of their struggle, we have a duty to strengthen and deepen the democratic institutions for which they fought. The greatest tribute we can pay is to build a Nigeria where freedom is protected, justice is upheld, opportunity is expanded, and government is accountable.

June 12, 1993, revealed the possibility of a true Nigerian nation. The heroes of June 12 secured political freedom. Our challenge is to secure economic freedom. Democracy must be felt in the quality of people’s lives—in opportunities for youth, in prosperous farmers, successful entrepreneurs, and the dignity of our workers.

The reforms we are undertaking were not chosen for ease, but for necessity. Three years ago, our public finances were under severe strain, investment was discouraged, and economic uncertainty threatened our future. We chose to act, embracing reforms to advance Nigeria’s economic freedom.

Since 2023, our reforms have restored stability and credibility to economic management. Federation revenues have risen, providing states and local governments with more resources for infrastructure, education, healthcare, and security. Fiscal transparency has improved, leakage has been reduced, and public funds are better directed to national priorities. Investor confidence has returned, with investments in agriculture, energy, manufacturing, technology, mining, transportation, and the creative industries growing.

Domestic refining capacity has increased, strengthening energy security and reducing our reliance on imported petroleum products.

By 2023, when we came on board, the electricity sector was characterised by chronic generation shortfalls, an unreliable gas supply, and transmission infrastructure so fragile that it could not evacuate available power. Distribution companies were burdened by massive losses and a metering deficit of over four million. Worst of all, the value chain was drowning in legacy debt. The result was a sector that generated less than the 13,500 Megawatts installed capacity, a sector that transmitted less than it generated, distributed less than it transmitted and collected revenue far below what it needed to sustain itself.

To address the problems besetting the sector, I signed the Electricity Act, which grants states authority to generate, transmit, and distribute power. The Presidential Power Sector Task Force is working hard to reduce the metering deficit. It has also been authorised to raise N4 trillion bond to settle verified legacy debts. The Rural Electrification Agency, supported by the World Bank and the African Development Bank, has deployed off-grid and mini-grid power to underserved communities, universities, markets, and hospitals. Electricity is a democratic dividend we owe every Nigerian. We intend to deliver it.

Across the country, infrastructure projects are connecting producers to markets and creating opportunities for enterprise and employment. The National Agricultural Development Fund is deploying 10,000 tractors over five years. Over 1,000 SMEs have been certified for export. Non-oil exports grew by 21% last year.

Yet, many Nigerians still face economic hardship. We remain focused on reducing inflation, expanding food production, creating jobs, improving living standards, rebuilding confidence in our economy, and creating conditions for sustainable prosperity.

We are moving from uncertainty to stability. The next phase is about accelerating growth and ensuring the benefits are felt in every home, every community, and every region. We believe that Democracy must be felt in the pocket.

Recognising that democracy is undermined when people do not feel its impact, my administration has sought financial autonomy for our 774 local councils. A fundamental challenge to our nation’s advancement has been ineffective local government administration. The insecurity we are addressing is partly due to the collapse of grassroots governance. The Renewed Hope Agenda is about ensuring that all Nigerians benefit from governance.

Every generation has a defining responsibility. The generation of our founding fathers secured independence—the generation of June 12 secured democracy. Our generation must secure prosperity.

Let us move forward together—rejecting division, cynicism, and despair; embracing unity, hope, and confidence. Let us build a Nigeria united by a common purpose, strengthened by diversity, where justice is accessible, liberty is secure, and opportunity is abundant.

Among the architects of modern democratic Nigeria, we honour General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua for his vision of national partnership. In recognition of his contributions, the Federal Government has approved the revitalisation and renaming of the completed Institute of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology.

I am also pleased to announce national awards to the following Nigerians, who suffered persecution, endured indignities, exile, incarceration, and, at times, solitary confinement, so that we have democracy today.

• Barrister Ayoka Lawani
• Tunde Fagbenle
• Oladele Alake
• Olatunji Bello
• Louis Odion
• Segun Babatope
• Sam Omatseye
• Sir Ademola Osinubi
• Bola Bolawole
• Lade Bonuola
• Femi Kusa
• Debo Adeniran
• Chief Ayo Opadokun
• Chief Ralph Obiora
• Ose Osayande
• Barrister Osa Director
• Prof. Sylvester Odion-Akhaine
• Dr Arthur Nwankwo (Posthumous)
• Dr Osagie Obayuwana
• Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin
• Barrister Titus Mann
• Joe Igbokwe
• Richard Akinnola
• Ben Charles-Obi (Posthumous)
• George Mbah
• Dr Niran Malaolu
• Major-General Ishola Williams (rtd)
• Femi Aborisade
• Jenkins Alumona
• Gbemiga Ogunleye
• Muyiwa Adekeye
• Babajide Kolade-Otitoju
• Ike Okonta
• We also recognise the soldier-democrats of the June 12 struggle:
• Major General MA Garba
• Brigadier General Lawal Jaafaru Isa
• Col Umar Farouk Ahmed;
• Col Sambo Dasuki;
• Col Lawan Gwadabe;
• Brigadier Jonathan Ndam Temlong
• Col Musa Shehu;
• Major General Chris Eze;
• Major General Harris Dzarma;
• Col Isa Jibrin;
• Maj. General Joseph Oshanupin;
• Col Olusegun Oloruntoba, Olugbede of Gbede Kingdom)
• Lieutenant Colonel Happy Kefas Bulus
• Col J Okai;
• Col Emmanuel Ndubueze;
• Lt Col Yakubu Muazu

Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar, the Current Etsu Nupe, who is already the holder of the CFR title.

The honours list will be released in the next few days.

Fellow Nigerians, 27 years ago, many doubted democracy would survive here because of our diversity. Today, our diversity sustains our democracy. The road ahead is steep. But June 12 reminds us: Nigerians do not break. We bend, we bleed, but we do not break.

Let us renew our covenant: That the labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from this land.

May God bless the heroes of our democracy. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. May God continue to bless us all.

Happy Democracy Day.

BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR

President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria

The post FULL SPEECH: ‘We Bend, We Bleed, But We Do Not Break’ — Tinubu’s Democracy Day Message appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Amid growing concerns about a one-party state, Tinubu dismissed speculation that the All Progressives Congress (APC) intends to undermine opposition parties. He described such fears as misplaced and emphasized that Nigeria’s democratic future is secure under his leadership.

“To those who fear a one-party state, I assure you—your concerns are unfounded. Democracy will remain the foundation of this nation,” he stated, while recalling his own experiences as an opposition figure in 2003.

The President acknowledged the role of the National Assembly in safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy in key moments, such as the rejection of the third-term agenda in 2006 and the elevation of Goodluck Jonathan to Acting President in 2010 under the doctrine of necessity.

In a symbolic gesture, Tinubu also announced national honours for prominent figures who contributed to Nigeria’s democratic evolution. Among the honorees were the late Kudirat Abiola, awarded the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR), Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, who received the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), and environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, honored posthumously alongside other members of the Ogoni Nine.

“I shall be exercising my constitutional prerogative of mercy to grant a full presidential pardon to these individuals and others, in recognition of their sacrifices,” Tinubu announced.

The full list of awardees includes politicians, journalists, activists, and civil society leaders who played significant roles in advancing democratic ideals, some posthumously. The honours span multiple categories, from the Order of the Niger (OON) to Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) and higher distinctions.

While affirming his respect for multiparty democracy, Tinubu also took a swipe at the current state of opposition parties, stating he takes no responsibility for their disarray and will not assist in their reorganization. “The responsibility of building strong opposition lies with the opposition. It is not my role to help them do that,” he said.

The Democracy Day address underscored Tinubu’s continued efforts to frame his administration as a guardian of democratic values while navigating growing political tensions and calls for inclusive governance.

The post Tinubu Pledges to Defend Democracy, Confers National Honours on Kudirat Abiola, Soyinka, Saro-Wiwa, Others appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Early Years (1960–1979): Promise and Policy Gaps

In the First and Second Republics, housing was recognized as a critical development goal, but progress was slow. Most housing initiatives during this period were driven by state and federal ministries, with limited private sector participation. Urbanization outpaced infrastructure, and policy frameworks were weak or inconsistently implemented. While there were efforts to provide staff housing and initiate government housing estates, these were grossly inadequate to meet growing demand.

Military Rule and Neglected Housing (1980s–1999)

During extended periods of military rule, housing policy took a backseat to broader political and economic upheavals. The absence of democratic accountability led to poor urban planning, haphazard development, and neglect of housing for low-income earners. Though some schemes were launched such as the National Housing Programme of 1991 political instability and lack of continuity hindered long-term impact.

The Fourth Republic and Democratic Reawakening (1999–Present)

With the return to democracy in 1999, the housing sector began to receive renewed attention. Civilian administrations introduced policies aimed at boosting home ownership, expanding mortgage access, and engaging the private sector. Initiatives like:
• The National Housing Fund (NHF)
• Establishment of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN)
• Social housing programmes under the National Economic Sustainability Plan
• Public-private partnerships in housing delivery

… all point to a democratic effort to respond to citizens’ housing needs.

However, challenges remain: land access is still bureaucratic and expensive, housing finance is limited, and slums continue to grow due to rapid urbanization and poverty.

Still, democracy has made it possible for housing advocates, professionals, developers, and ordinary citizens to raise their voices and demand better. The rise of housing-focused platforms like Housing TV Africa is itself a product of democratic freedom and civic engagement.

Africa International Housing show

Happy Democracy Day, Nigeria!

On this day of national reflection and celebration, Housing TV Africa salutes the resilience of the Nigerian people and the democratic institutions that uphold our collective voice.

Democracy is not just about casting votes it’s about creating a society where everyone has a place to call home. A democracy that works should shelter its people, protect their rights to safe and decent housing, and empower them to shape their communities.

As the voice of the housing sector, we at Housing TV Africa remain committed to driving conversations, showcasing innovation, and amplifying policies that make housing more inclusive, accessible, and sustainable for all Nigerians.

Today, we celebrate how far we’ve come and renew our call for a housing sector that reflects the dignity of every Nigerian citizen.

Happy Democracy Day from all of us at Housing TV Africa!

The post A Review of Nigeria’s Democracy (1960–2025) Through the Lens of the Housing Sector appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Nigeria is marking 25 years of democracy. But instead of joy, many citizens are feeling disappointed and frustrated. For them, Democracy Day isn’t a celebration it’s a reminder of broken promises.

Youth Voices: “We’re Struggling to Survive”

Tabitha Onah, a youth corps member serving in Abuja, shared how hard life has become.
“Since President Tinubu took office, the cost of everything has gone up transport, food, you name it,” she said. “The new ₦77,000 allowance doesn’t last a week.”

She also raised concerns about political unrest. “When governors are removed like pawns, it makes you wonder—are we really in a democracy?”

Lack of Inclusion and Rising Tensions

Chidera Ononiwu, a student leader, believes the government doesn’t represent everyone.
“It’s hard to trust this system when most appointments come from one region,” he said. “Democracy should be about fairness and accountability.”

For Many, Democracy Feels Like a Lie

Jeremiah Yibowei, a web developer, doesn’t believe the current government has delivered any benefits.
“Prices have increased by 80%. This administration brought nothing but pain,” he said. “It feels like democracy is just a label.

Women and Small Business Owners Feel Left Behind

Student and tailor Amina Maikasuwa feels ignored.
“We adjust and move on, like we don’t matter,” she said. “No one listens to women or small business owners. What kind of democracy is that?”

Civil Society Raises the Alarm

Dr. Ibrahim Zikirullahi of CHRICED says the vision of June 12 has faded.
Instead of progress, we’re going backward. The suffering is worse under Tinubu,” he warned.

One-Party System and Political Intimidation?

In Kano, people like Hamisu Ibrahim accuse Tinubu of turning Nigeria into a one-party state.
“This isn’t democracy—it’s intimidation,” he said.

While some, like Balarabe Sule, admit there have been minor improvements, many say these are overshadowed by fear and poor leadership.

Debt, Insecurity, and Hunger: The Reality on Ground

Benue activist Attah Ede says the country feels like it’s in a coma.
“With rising fuel prices, no electricity, and constant fear, life is unbearable,” he said.

Pius Elijah agrees. “These past two years have been a nightmare,” he said. Tina Emmanuel added, “The suffering is just too much.”

Experts Demand Reforms, Not Rhetoric

Auwal Rafsanjani of CISLAC says Nigeria’s democracy is falling apart.
“Corruption, bad elections, and poor leadership are killing trust in government,” he said.

He criticized the disappearance of fuel subsidy savings and the lack of real solutions. “People are getting poorer. There’s no relief in sight.”

No Safety Net for the People

Political analyst Dr. Kabiru Lawanti blames harsh policies for rising poverty.
“Fuel is now ₦1,200. Food prices are out of control. Reforms only work when they protect the people,” he said.

He added that shutting down the legislature and opposition voices makes things worse. “We need real change, not just big talk.”

A Democracy That Punishes the People?

Lawyer and activist Femi Aborishade didn’t hold back.
“This is the worst government in our history. People are hungry, and only the rich benefit from these reforms,” he said.

Hope Depends on Bold Action

Professor Hassan Saliu urged Tinubu to change direction.
“Policies must help the people. Otherwise, what’s the point of celebrating democracy?” he asked.

Andrew Mamedu of ActionAid Nigeria agreed, calling for people-focused development. He warned that corruption and poor planning only make things worse.

Chris Kwaja of the US Institute of Peace added a final warning:
“If Nigeria’s leaders don’t act fast, democracy will become nothing more than an empty promise.”

The post Democracy Day or Despair Day? Nigerians Reflect on Life Under Tinubu appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

In a statement to mark democracy day, the group reiterated that while democracy theoretically offers avenues for addressing societal challenges, including housing, the lack of political will from leaders has hindered progress in providing adequate shelter for the homeless population in the country.

READ ALSO: HDAN Appraises Tinubu’s one year in Housing Sector, says Solid Foundation Laid for Bright Prospects in Housing

HDAN stressed the urgent need for policymakers to prioritize the development of robust social housing policies and collaborate with stakeholders including civil society organizations to formulate comprehensive strategies to ensure access to safe and affordable housing for all Nigerians.

The post Nigeria’s Democracy Fails to Impact Homeless Due to Lack of Political Will to Provide Social Housing – HDAN appeared first on Housing TV Africa.