The Federal Government has announced the cancellation of the traditional military parade scheduled to commemorate this year’s Democracy Day on Thursday, June 12, 2025.
In a statement released on Wednesday by Abdulhakeem Adeoye from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, it was disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will instead deliver a nationwide broadcast at 7:00 a.m. on Democracy Day.
Later in the day, he will attend a special joint session of the National Assembly at 12:00 noon.
The cancellation marks a departure from the usual practice of hosting an elaborate parade at the Presidential Villa to honor Nigeria’s return to democratic rule.
The development comes after an earlier announcement by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who had initially stated that the parade would hold.
Akume made the announcement through the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, during the inauguration of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on the 2025 Democracy Day celebrations.
More Read
In a revised schedule, the Inter-Ministerial Committee emphasized that this year’s Democracy Day would focus more on reflection and dialogue than ceremonial display.
“The Inter-Ministerial Committee wishes to announce the following developments on the 26th Democracy Day celebration: Presidential National Broadcast on June 12, 2025 at 7:00 a.m; No Democracy Day Parade,” the statement read.
President Tinubu will also participate in a public lecture later that day at 4:00 p.m. at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja. The lecture is themed “Consolidating on the Gains of Nigeria’s Democracy: Necessity of Enduring Reforms.”
Government officials underscored the importance of Democracy Day as an opportunity to honor the efforts of Nigeria’s past and present democratic heroes.
“This day allows us to reflect on the sacrifices made to secure and sustain democracy in our country,” said Senator Bagudu during a previous briefing.
President Tinubu’s address is expected to touch on key national issues and the government’s plans for deepening democratic values and reforms across all sectors.
The federal government’s decision to scale back on this year’s public celebrations signals a more solemn and policy-focused approach to marking the historic day.
