The Nigerian National Assembly has resolved to institutionalize the President’s annual State of the Nation Address, to be delivered every June 12 at a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives. The resolution was passed through voice votes, following a proposal by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, during a joint session to commemorate the 2025 Democracy Day.
President Bola Tinubu attended the event, where he delivered an address to the nation. Speaker Tajudeen commended the President’s presence, describing it as a remarkable gesture of commitment to democratic norms. He urged that the address be institutionalized as an annual event, and the lawmakers approved it without debate.
The approval sets the stage for what many see as Nigeria’s version of the US State of the Union Address. If practiced, Nigerian presidents will address the legislature and the Nigerian people on the status, challenges, and prospects of the nation every June 12. The address will provide a yearly platform for the President to review policy enforcement, economic performance, national security issues, and legislative collaboration.
The development aligns with a legislative push for constitutional reforms regarding key national ceremonies. The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, had earlier revealed that the National Assembly was working on a bill to formalize the President’s address to the nation on June 12 every year. The legislature is also considering a bill that would mandate future presidential inaugurations within the National Assembly Complex, symbolizing the supremacy of democratic institutions.
The reforms aim to reshape Nigeria’s democratic traditions, and the institutionalization of the State of the Nation Address is seen as a significant step towards promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance. As Nigeria celebrates its Democracy Day, the country’s leaders are taking steps to strengthen its democratic institutions and promote national development.
