President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has conferred national honours on 50 Nigerians in recognition of their contributions to the struggle for the restoration of democracy and the defence of democratic values in the country.
The President announced the honours during his nationwide broadcast to mark the 2026 Democracy Day celebration, paying tribute to journalists, civil rights activists, politicians and military officers who played pivotal roles in resisting military rule and advancing democratic governance in Nigeria.
Tinubu described June 12 as a defining moment in Nigeria’s history, noting that the sacrifices made by pro-democracy campaigners helped secure the democratic freedoms Nigerians enjoy today.
According to him, many of the honourees endured persecution, detention, exile and other hardships during the struggle to actualise the June 12, 1993 presidential election, widely regarded as the freest and fairest in the nation’s history.
The President said the best way to honour the heroes of democracy is to strengthen democratic institutions, uphold justice and expand opportunities for all Nigerians.
“June 12 occupies a sacred place in our national memory. It represents more than an election; it is a defining chapter in our story,” Tinubu said, adding that the current generation must work to secure economic prosperity just as the June 12 activists secured political freedom.
Among those honoured are veteran journalists, civil society leaders, pro-democracy activists and members of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), as well as military officers who opposed military dictatorship and supported democratic reforms.
Full list of the honourees
The list includes 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, Ayo Opadokun, 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 (rtd), Femi Aborisade, Jenkins Alumona, Gbemiga Ogunleye, Muyiwa Adekeye, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju and Ike Okonta.
The President also recognised a group he described as “soldier-democrats” for their roles in 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 Jonathan Ndam Temlong, Colonel Musa Shehu, Major General Chris Eze, Major General Harris Dzarma, Colonel Isa Jibrin, Major General Joseph Oshanupin, Colonel Olusegun Oloruntoba, Lieutenant Colonel Happy Kefas Bulus, Colonel J. Okai, Colonel Emmanuel Ndubueze, Lieutenant Colonel Yakubu Muazu and Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe.
Tinubu said details of the honours and award categories would be released in the coming days, stressing that the recipients represent the courage, sacrifice and resilience that helped sustain Nigeria’s democratic journey.
