The Nigerian Government has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening democracy, strengthening institutions, and promoting national cohesion as the country marks 27 years of uninterrupted democratic governance.
This was made known at a Democracy Day Public Lecture held in Abuja, where stakeholders and policy experts reflected on the country’s democratic journey, achievements, challenges, and future prospects.
Representing Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, said the occasion offered Nigerians an opportunity to celebrate democratic gains while critically assessing the nation’s progress since the return to civil rule in 1999.
According to him, Nigeria’s democratic journey has been defined by resilience and determination despite numerous challenges.
“Since May 29, 1999, Nigeria has made a decisive return to democratic governance. The significant lesson from this journey is that it has been one of resilience and determination,” he said.
According to him, the country had successfully conducted eight successive general elections and witnessed peaceful transfers of power across political parties and regions, describing the development as evidence of the growing maturity of Nigeria’s democracy.
“The gains of democracy, particularly the freedom of choice to vote and be voted for, remain invaluable. We must continue to strengthen our institutions and ensure that democracy delivers tangible benefits to all Nigerians,” he noted.
The SGF further stressed the importance of national unity, warning against ethnic, religious and regional divisions.
“We must not allow ethnic, religious or regional fault lines to undermine the foundations of our democracy. National cohesion remains critical to our democratic survival and development,” he said.
Delivering the keynote lecture titled ‘Twenty-Seven Years of Democratic Governance in Nigeria: Achievements, Challenges and the Road Ahead,’ the Director-General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Professor Ayo Omotayo, described June 12 as a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic history. While paying tribute to the heroes of the June 12 struggle, particularly the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola and other pro-democracy activists who sacrificed for the restoration of democratic governance.
“Democracy Day is more than a public holiday. It is a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by courageous Nigerians who believed that the destiny of this nation should be shaped through the ballot rather than the bullet,” Omotayo stated.
The NIPSS Director-General highlighted several achievements recorded since 1999, including stronger democratic institutions, expanded civic participation, economic reforms, technological advancement, and increased global recognition for Nigeria.
According to him, one of the most remarkable milestones was the peaceful transfer of power between political parties at the federal level in 2015.
“The transfer of power from one political party to another remains one of the strongest indicators of the growing maturity of our democratic system,” he said.
Professor Omotayo also praised the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy, noting that technology had become a major driver of innovation, entrepreneurship and financial inclusion.
“The growth of the digital economy represents one of the defining achievements of democratic governance. Young Nigerians are increasingly leveraging technology to create businesses, generate employment and drive innovation,” he said.
Despite the progress, he identified insecurity, unemployment, poverty, corruption and social divisions as key challenges confronting the nation’s democratic development.
“Democracy must ultimately be judged not merely by the conduct of elections but by its capacity to improve the welfare and well-being of citizens. In this regard, considerable work remains to be done,” he added.
Professor Omotayo further called for greater investment in youth development, education, technology, institutional reforms and inclusive economic growth to ensure that democracy translates into improved living standards for citizens.
Also speaking at the event, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, underscored the importance of trust in democratic governance.
She described democracy as a system built on accountability, inclusion, service delivery and citizen participation.
“Democracy is much more than elections. It is about service, accountability, inclusion, justice, participation and the continuous improvement of the lives of citizens,” she said.
According to Walson-Jack, public institutions must work diligently to earn the trust of citizens through transparency, fairness and effective service delivery.
“When government earns trust through fairness, transparency, consistency and results, democracy becomes stronger and more meaningful,” she stated.
She reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Civil Service to supporting national development through innovation, digital transformation, performance management and ethical leadership.
The event had in attendance, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammad Idris, and his counterparts, The Minister of Livestock, Minister of Budget and National Planning, along side Permanent Secretaries and Director Generals of MDAs.
Stakeholders at the event, emphasized while significant progress has been made, the task of building a more prosperous, secure and inclusive nation remains an ongoing responsibility for both leaders and citizens.
