The President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Dist. Comr. Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, GCNS, has called on Nigerian students across the country to participate in a nationwide Democracy Day Walk as part of activities marking the 2026 Democracy Day celebration.
In a press release issued on Thursday, June 11, the NANS President emphasized the importance of democracy in sustaining Nigeria’s sovereignty, protecting citizens’ freedoms, and ensuring the active participation of young people in national development.
According to Akinteye, democracy remains the bedrock upon which students and citizens enjoy the freedom to organize, express their views, and advocate for improved welfare and better governance.
“As your President, I remain firmly committed to the ideals of democracy, principles which have, over time, guaranteed our liberty to operate, to organize, and to represent your collective will,” he stated.
The student leader noted that Democracy Day serves as a reminder of the nation’s democratic journey and the sacrifices made to secure the freedoms Nigerians enjoy today. He stressed that Nigerian students must remain steadfast in preserving and advancing democratic values for future generations.
To commemorate the occasion, NANS has scheduled a nationwide Democracy Walk to hold simultaneously in major cities across the country, including Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, and Imo State.
Akinteye described the initiative as an opportunity for students to reflect on the significance of democratic governance and reaffirm their commitment to nation-building.
He further charged students to recognize their crucial role in safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy, noting that the future and sovereignty of the nation largely depend on the active participation and engagement of young people.
“As Nigerian students, we bear a great responsibility for the future of this nation, and indeed, its sovereignty rests significantly on our shoulders. We must, therefore, remain resolute in preserving, protecting, and advancing the democratic ideals that bind us together as a people,” he said.
The Democracy Walk is expected to attract thousands of students nationwide as they join fellow citizens in celebrating Nigeria’s democratic progress and advocating for a stronger democratic culture.
The annual Democracy Day celebration, observed every June 12, honors the country’s democratic journey and recognizes the sacrifices of individuals who contributed to the restoration and sustenance of democratic governance in Nigeria.
