Fellow Nigerians,
I join you all today to commemorate and celebrate our Democracy Day. It is a celebration of freedom
and a victory for one people, one country and one Nigeria.
2. As with all democracies we will always be going through improvement processes in our desire to
reach the goal of a mature democracy, a strong, evolved and integrated nation state to be reckoned
with globally.
3. In the last two years we have witnessed and overcome a good number of testy challenges that would
have destroyed other nations especially relating to our collective security.
4. The indefatigable CAN DO Spirit of the Nigerian has sustained us and would keep pushing us to put
these challenges behind us.
5. Unfortunately some of these challenges came in the shape of violent outrages leading to the loss of
lives of many of our dear compatriots and the destruction of some of our infrastructure, including those
devoted to improving our democratic processes.
6. Once again, I want to render my sincere and heart-felt condolences to the families and friends of our
gallant service men and women who lost their lives in the line of duty and as a sacrifice to keep Nigeria
safe.
7. I extend the same condolence to the families and friends of our country men, women and children
who were unfortunate victims of such senseless arsons, kidnappings and murders.
8. I also share the pains of families and direct victims of ransom-seeking, kidnaped victims who went
through unimaginable trauma in the course of their forced imprisonment.
9. Let me assure my fellow citizens that every incident, however minor gives me great worry and
concern and I immediately order security agencies to swiftly but safely rescue victims and bring
perpetrators to justice.
Fellow Nigerians,
10. When you elected me as your President in 2015, you did so knowing that I will put an end to the
growing insecurity, especially the insurgency in the North East, but the unintended consequences of our
scattering them in the North East pushed them further in-country which is what we are now facing and
dealing with.
11. We will, by the Grace of God put an end to these challenges too.
12. Unfortunately, like in most conflict situations, some Nigerian criminals are taking undue advantage
of a difficult situation and profiteering therefrom with the misguided belief that adherence to the
democratic norms handicaps this Administration from frontally and decisively tackling them.
13. We are already addressing these obstacles and we will soon bring some of these culprits to justice.
14. We are, at the same time addressing the twin underlying drivers of insecurity namely poverty and
youth unemployment.
15. Interventions led by Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria driving economic growth over the
past 6 years are targeted mostly to the agricultural, services, infrastructure, power and health care
sectors of the economy.
16. In the Agricultural sector, for instance, the Anchor Borrowers Programme resulted in sharp decline in
the nation’s major food import bill from $2.23billion in 2014 to US$0.59billion by the end of 2018.
17. Rice import bill alone dropped from $1 billion to $18.5 million annually.
18. This initiative supported local production of rice, maize, cotton and cassava. Government financed
2.5 million small-holder farmers cultivating about 3.2 million hectares of farmland all over the country
and created 10 million direct and indirect jobs.
19. Several other initiatives, namely AgriBusiness/Small and Medium Enterprise Investment Scheme, the
Non-oil Export stimulation Facility, the Targeted Credit Facilities operated across the 774 Local
Governments.
20. In the manufacturing sector the CBN – BOI N200 billion facility financed the establishment and
operations of 60 new industrial hubs across the country, creating an estimated 890,000 direct and
indirect jobs.
21. The CBN’s N50 billion Textile Sector intervention Facility increased capacity utilization of ginneries
from 30% to nearly 90%.
22. The Economic Sustainability Plan – our rebound plan for the COVID-19 pandemic developed in 2020
is currently being executed. The plan is primarily focused on the non-oil sector, which has recorded
phenomenal growth contributing over 90% to the GDP growth in Q1 2021.
23. Though marginal we have recorded GDP growth over two quarters; Q2 2020 and Q1 2021. This is
evidence of a successful execution of the ESP by the Federal Government.
24. My vision of pulling 100 million poor Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years has been put into action
and can be seen in the National Social Investment Programme, a first in Africa and one of the largest in
the world where over 32.6m beneficiaries are taking part. We now have a National Social register of
poor and vulnerable households, identified across 708 local government areas, 8,723 wards and 86,610
communities in the 36 States and the FCT.
25. Our conditional cash transfer program has benefited over 1.6 million poor and vulnerable
households comprising more than 8 million individuals. This provides a monthly stipend of N10,000 per
household.
26. I have also recently approved the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy Plan that
augments existing plans to further reduce poverty in Nigeria.
27. As at the end of 2020, the Development Bank of Nigeria had disbursed 324 billion Naira in loans to
more than 136,000 MSMEs, through 40 participating Financial Institutions. I am to note that 57% of
these beneficiaries are women while 27% are the youth.
28. We are able to do all these and still accelerate our infrastructure development through sensible and
transparent borrowing, improved capital inflow, improving and increasing revenue through capturing
more tax bases and prudent management of investment proceeds in the Sovereign Wealth Fund.
Fellow Nigerians,
29. Our infrastructure revolution continues with key projects attaining critical milestones under the
Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund; The Second Niger Bridge, The Lagos- Ibadan Expressway
and the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Expressway.
30. I have also approved the establishment of Infraco Plc, a world-class infrastructure development
vehicle wholly focused on Nigeria with a capital structure of N15 trillion.
31. The rail system is not left out as the Itakpe-Warri standard gauge rail was completed and
commissioned 33 years after construction began. The Lagos-Ibadan double track railway line which I
have just commissioned has commenced operations.
32. We are focused on ensuring that our infrastructure drive is key to economic growth and one that can
be felt by every Nigerian. Building critical infrastructure in our ports is also opening up opportunities for
the Nigerian economy.
33. My approval for 4 new seaports using a Public-Private-Partnership approach is hinged on growing
the Nigerian economy. These four sea ports; Lekki Deep Sea Port, Bonny Deep Sea Port, Ibom Deep Sea
Port and Warri Deep Sea port will create massive job opportunities and foreign investment inflows.
34. We have worked at deepening our Eastern ports leading to success like having three container ships
berth at Calabar port, a first in 11 years. Similarly, on October 30 2019, an LPG tanker operated by NLNG
berthed in Port Harcourt, the first time an LPG ship is berthing at any of the Eastern Ports.
35. As we invest in these new assets, we have also made strides in ensuring that they are secured and
protected. In this regard I am also pleased to note the launch of the NIMASA Deep Blue project – which
is an Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure that I recently
commissioned. This initiative is designed to add to the layer of security we have to safeguard our
maritime sector.
Dear Nigerians,
36. I will be the first to admit that in spite of our efforts and achievements which are there for all to see,
there is still much more to be done and we are doing our best in the face of scarce resources and
galloping population growth rate that consistently outstrips our capacity to provide jobs for our
populace. Our over-all economic target of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years is our
goal notwithstanding COVID-19.
37. In the last two years we lifted 10.5 million people out of poverty – farmers, small-scale traders,
artisans, market women and the like.
38. I am very convinced that this 100 million target can be met and this informed the development of a
National poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy. The specific details of this accelerated strategy will be
unveiled shortly.
39. In the last one year, Nigeria and the whole world faced COVID-19 for which no one was fully
prepared.
40. Our response to the pandemic involved making hard choices in balancing livelihoods and public
health concerns. You are all living witnesses to how successful this has been due to a number of pro-
active measures put in place. Our response to COVID-19 is globally acclaimed.
41. We were able to ensure that the various lockdown measures did not impact too negatively on the
ability of ordinary Nigerians to continue sustaining their livelihoods.
42. During the pandemic, we disbursed N5,000 to 1 million Nigerians using a Rapid Response Register
and advanced N20,000 to 750,000 beneficiaries of the Conditional Cash Transfer Progamme and
provided 1.37 million Nigerians with palliatives from CACOVID.
43. At the same time the Federal Government released 109,000 metric tonnes of food reserve stocks
and 70,000 metric tonnes of grains to the poor and vulnerable in all 36 states of the federation.
44. In addition, Government reduced interest rates from 9% to 5% for struggling businesses and
extended credit facilities to 548,345 beneficiaries.
Fellow Nigerians,
45. When this administration decided to change our Democracy Day from 29th May to June 12th in my
first tenure, it was not only to honour the sacrifices of the men and women of our country who fought
for the return to democracy but also to demonstrate our commitment to satisfy the aspirations of the
people and creating an environment for democracy to be an accepted way of life.
46. As your President, I remain committed to providing an enabling environment for a free, fair and
credible electoral system under my tenure.
47. However, you need to play your part by getting involved at any level you can supporting a
democratic system that works for all and not for a section or a select few and demand accountability
from your elected leaders.
48. My commitment to bequeathing a sustainable democratic culture remains resolute, my pursuit of a
fair society remains unshaken and my desire to see that Nigeria remains a country for each and every
one of us has never been stronger.
49. In responding to the challenges that this period imposes on us, Government also recognises the
need to acknowledge notions of marginalisation and agitations for constitutional amendments among
various segments of our population.
50. While this government is not averse to constitutional reform as part of our nation building process,
everyone must understand that the primary responsibility for constitutional amendments lies with the
National Assembly.
51. This body which, as I said, is the arm of government responsible for constitutional changes has
concluded the preliminary stages of amending and improving our constitution in a way that the majority
of Nigerians will be happy with.
52. Government is, however, willing to play a critical role in the constitutional amendment process
without usurping the powers of the National Assembly in this regard.
53. As a nation we have come very far from where we started and we are getting incrementally closer to
where we ought to be.
54. Overcoming the present challenges is but one of a necessary process that we have to undergo as a
nation so that we can come out stronger. The day I joined the Nigerian Army I was prepared to lay
down my life for Nigeria.
55. As your President I remain ever committed to upholding and defending Nigeria’s Corporate
existence.
56. In adhering to the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy notably section
14(2)(b) I shall do all within my power to ensure that the Security and welfare of the people remain the
primary purpose of government.
57. I have, throughout my tenure, provided the security agencies with all they require relative to
available resources and will be providing more as the dynamics unfold to put an end to our security
problems.
58. My strong belief in the Nigerian spirit gives me comfort that we are facing these challenges with
renewed commitment to keep our country one.
59. I thank you for your patience and attention and more importantly your resolve to join hands in
making Nigeria the country of our dream.
Happy Democracy Day! God Bless us All, God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
