NIGERIA: Federal Government Announces Activities For 2025 Democracy Day

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria

The Federal Government has unveiled the programme of events for the 2025 Democracy Day celebration, with a public lecture scheduled to be held on June 11.

The announcement was made in a statement issued in Abuja by the Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Mr. Segun Imohiosen.

According to the statement, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, has inaugurated an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) charged with organising this year’s commemorative activities.

Represented at the inaugural meeting by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Akume described Democracy Day as an important opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices of Nigeria’s democratic pioneers who fought for independence and challenged military dictatorship.

He stated; “It is my pleasure to welcome you all to the inaugural meeting of the 26th Democracy Day Celebration Inter-Ministerial Committee. This year’s Democracy Day Celebration is an opportunity to reflect on the contributions and sacrifices of our founding fathers to attain independence for our dear nation and to reflect on the daunting challenges and trauma that other democratic champions faced in their collective efforts to wrest power from the grip of military dictatorship. To celebrate this day in their remembrance is to honour and recognise their place in history.”

The federal government’s schedule includes several national events intended to foster unity and civic engagement. The event is to begin with World Press Briefing on Friday, 6th June, 2025; Special Juma’at Service on Friday, 6th June, 2025; Church Service on Sunday 8th June, 2025; Youth Programme to be held on Tuesday, 9th June, 2025, Public Lecture, Wednesday, 11th June 2025 and the Presidential Broadcast alongside Parade on Thursday, 12th June, 2025.

The IMC overseeing the preparations is composed of key government officials and heads of relevant institutions. The Inter-Ministerial Committee is under the leadership of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, while Engr. Nadungu Gagare, who serves as the Permanent Secretary in the Political and Economic Affairs Office of the OSGF, has been appointed to act as the Committee’s Secretary.

Other members are the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Barr. Nyesom Wike, Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Special Adviser to the President, Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala-Usman, Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, Director General, Department of State Services, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, Commander, Guards Brigade, Brigadier General Adebisi Onasanya, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office OSGF, Dr. Nnamdi Maurice Mbaeri, and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Kachollom Daju.

According to the statement, the Committee has been tasked with planning and implementing all activities approved for the Democracy Day celebration. It is also empowered to engage individuals or organisations necessary for the smooth execution of the programme, maintain a comprehensive record of the events for historical documentation, and carry out any additional duties that may arise in the course of organising the celebration.