As part of activities marking Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebration, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will confer national honours on a select group of federal lawmakers during a Special Joint Sitting of the National Assembly scheduled for Wednesday, June 12, 2025. The announcement was made public on Sunday by the House of Representatives Spokesman, Hon. Akin Rotimi Jr., in Abuja.
According to Rotimi, the event will be held at the National Assembly complex and will feature President Tinubu as the Special Guest of Honour. The President is expected to deliver a significant address to both chambers of the National Assembly—an address that is anticipated to underscore the administration’s stance on democratic governance, legislative independence, and national development. This address, coming on the heels of nearly a year since his swearing-in, is also expected to touch on the achievements and challenges of the current administration within the context of democratic consolidation.
The conferment of national honours on selected lawmakers will be a key highlight of the day’s event, symbolizing recognition for legislative excellence and commitment to national service. Though specific names of honourees are yet to be officially disclosed, sources within the legislative arm suggest that the recipients have been chosen based on their outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s legislative process and governance.
The theme for this year’s Democracy Day is “26 Years of Democracy: Renewing Our Commitment to National Development.” It reflects Nigeria’s 26 uninterrupted years of democratic governance since the return to civil rule in 1999, a milestone that underscores the resilience of the nation’s democratic institutions despite recurring political and socio-economic challenges.
Rotimi, while addressing journalists, described the joint sitting as a symbolic moment in Nigeria’s democratic evolution. He emphasized that the National Assembly has remained a cornerstone of democratic accountability and policy direction, helping to shape national discourse and legislative reforms across two and a half decades of civil governance.
Former presiding officers of the National Assembly are also expected to deliver goodwill messages during the ceremony, adding historical and institutional perspectives to the proceedings. The gathering will serve not just as a ceremonial function but also as an opportunity for collective introspection on Nigeria’s democratic journey and legislative impact.
Rotimi concluded by calling on citizens across the federation to mark Democracy Day with deep reflection, patriotic zeal, and a renewed commitment to unity, peace, and inclusive national growth. He reiterated that the 12th of June remains a symbol of the Nigerian people’s struggle for freedom, justice, and participatory governance, values that must be nurtured and upheld for future generations.
