Honestly, democracy day in Nigeria has changed over the years. From what I’ve seen and from what people around me say, it’s kind of a mix. Officially, you get parades, some military displays, and politicians making speeches, especially the president who goes on TV to talk about democracy and what the government’s doing (or not doing). It’s a public holiday so schools and offices are closed, which I used to look forward to the most as a kid!

But, people aren’t always throwing parties or anything. In some places, it’s pretty quiet—especially if people are frustrated about politics or the economy. In the southwest you might see more local events because of Abiola, but a lot of folks use the chance to just hang out with family or head out with friends. There’s also lots of talk in the news and on social media about if Nigeria is really progressing since that 1993 election, or if leaders have just let everyone down.

So, yeah, it’s not all fireworks. Sometimes it feels like a reality check more than a party.