President Bola Tinubu has announced national honours for dozens of pro-democracy activists, journalists, lawyers, civil society leaders and military officers in recognition of their contributions to Nigeria’s democratic struggle.
The President made the announcement during his Democracy Day address on Friday, saying the honourees suffered persecution, imprisonment, exile, incarceration and other hardships in the fight to restore democratic rule in Nigeria.
Those named for national honours include Barrister Ayoka Lawani, Tunde Fagbenle, Oladele Alake, Olatunji Bello, Louis Odion, Segun Babatope, Sam Omatseye, Sir Ademola Osinubi, Bola Bolawole, Lade Bonuola, Femi Kusa, Debo Adeniran, Chief Ayo Opadokun, Chief Ralph Obiora, Ose Osayande, Barrister Osa Director, Prof. Sylvester Odion-Akhaine, Dr Arthur Nwankwo (posthumous), Dr Osagie Obayuwana, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, Barrister Titus Mann, Joe Igbokwe, Richard Akinnola, Ben Charles-Obi (posthumous), George Mbah, Dr Niran Malaolu, Major-General Ishola Williams (retd), Femi Aborisade, Jenkins Alumona, Gbemiga Ogunleye, Muyiwa Adekeye, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju and Ike Okonta.
Tinubu said the awardees endured various forms of repression during the military era and made significant sacrifices to advance democratic governance in the country.
The President also recognised what he described as the “soldier-democrats” of the June 12 struggle. They include Major General M.A. Garba, Brigadier General Lawal Jaafaru Isa, Colonel Umar Farouk Ahmed, Colonel Sambo Dasuki, Colonel Lawan Gwadabe, Brigadier General Jonathan Ndam Temlong, Colonel Musa Shehu, Major General Chris Eze, Major General Harris Dzarma, Colonel Isa Jibrin, Major General Joseph Oshanupin, Colonel Olusegun Oloruntoba (Olugbede of Gbede Kingdom), Lieutenant Colonel Happy Kefas Bulus, Colonel J. Okai, Colonel Emmanuel Ndubueze, Lieutenant Colonel Yakubu Muazu and Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe.
According to the President, the full honours list, including the categories of awards to be conferred on the recipients, will be released in the coming days.
Tinubu said the recognition was part of efforts to honour Nigerians who stood against military rule and helped secure the democratic freedoms enjoyed today.
“Those who suffered persecution, endured indignities, exile, incarceration and, at times, solitary confinement, so that we have democracy today, deserve the gratitude of the nation,” the President said.
The announcement was one of the highlights of the 2026 Democracy Day celebration, which marked 27 years of uninterrupted democratic rule in Nigeria.