By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
On this occasion of Democracy Day 2026, I reflect with deep humility on a journey that many of us walked with courage, conviction, and sacrifice.
As a student leader in the early 1990s, serving first as Welfare Secretary of the University of Jos Student Union Government and later as Secretary-General of the National Association of Nigerian Students, I had a close view of what it meant to struggle for democratic governance in Nigeria. Those were difficult and defining years. 
We were driven not by comfort, but by conviction. We believed that democracy was not a privilege to be negotiated, but a right to be demanded. In that pursuit, many of us paid a heavy price. We were beaten, detained, harassed, and faced with intimidation and frivolous charges. Yet, despite the risks and the pain, we remained committed to the idea of a freer and more just Nigeria.
Those experiences were part of a broader national struggle that shaped the democratic transition our country eventually achieved in 1999, following years of political tension, civic resistance, and events such as the June 12 crisis that tested the conscience of the nation.
Today, as we celebrate democracy in 2026, I do so with gratitude for how far we have come, and with a sober reminder that democracy is never finished—it must be protected, deepened, and renewed by every generation.
Yet I cannot hide my concern that we risk losing some of the guiding principles we once fought for so fiercely—discipline in leadership, accountability in public office, and a culture that rewards merit over mediocrity. The democracy we fought for was never meant to be only about elections, but about excellence, accountability, and service.
Those of us who were part of that era, and others who shared similar experiences, should also feel free to contribute their reflections and experiences in the comments, so that the memory and lessons of that struggle are not lost.
To the young people of today: the responsibility has not ended. It has simply changed hands.
Happy Democracy Day, Nigeria.
