President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday conferred national honours on 66 distinguished Nigerians, both living and posthumous, whose sacrifices and contributions have shaped the nation’s democratic journey. The awards were presented during the Democracy Day celebrations at the National Assembly in Abuja.
President Tinubu, while addressing the joint session of the National Assembly, emphasized the importance of acknowledging the courage, dedication, and sacrifices of pro-democracy figures, journalists, activists, politicians, and public intellectuals who fought to entrench democracy in Nigeria.
“As we celebrate more than two decades of unbroken democracy, it is only fitting to immortalize the men and women who, in their various ways, stood firm against dictatorship and injustice to secure freedom for our country,” the President said. “Their sacrifices wove democracy into the fabric of our national life.”
The honours covered several ranks in the national awards hierarchy: Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), and Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR).
One of the most symbolic honours was posthumously bestowed on Alhaja Kudirat Abiola (CFR), the wife of the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, late Chief M.K.O. Abiola. Kudirat was honoured for her fearless activism and pivotal role during the struggle against military dictatorship.
Similarly, the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua was conferred the nation’s highest honour, GCFR, in recognition of his unwavering commitment to the democratic cause, a struggle that led to his imprisonment and eventual death under the military regime.
Another significant recipient is Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, who was decorated with the GCON for his decades-long contributions to literature, human rights, and the fight for democratic governance.
Also honoured was Professor Humphrey Nwosu (CON), celebrated for conducting the June 12, 1993 presidential election adjudged by many as Nigeria’s freest and fairest election. The late environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and his fellow Ogoni rights advocates received posthumous honours, alongside other slain activists such as Bagauda Kaltho, Chima Ubani, and Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti.
Other notable names on the honours list include Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (CON), Alhaji Balarabe Musa (CFR), Pa Alfred Rewane (CFR), Chief Bola Ige (CFR), and Pa Reuben Fasoranti (CFR), all of whom played critical roles in shaping Nigeria’s political landscape.
Prominent journalists and media figures were also recognized for their fearless reporting during Nigeria’s years of repression. These include Bayo Onanuga (CON), Dapo Olorunyomi (OON), Kunle Ajibade (OON), Nosa Igiebor (OON), and Uncle Sam Amuka Pemu (CON), whose journalistic courage contributed significantly to the pro-democracy struggle.
Civil rights defenders and political activists such as Ayo Obe (OON), Barrister Femi Falana, SAN (CON), Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah (CON), Senator Shehu Sani (CON), and Governor Uba Sani (CON) were also among those honoured.
In a rare display of legislative-executive unity, President Tinubu personally decorated Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas with their GCON awards, while Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu received their CFR awards.
In addition to the honours, President Tinubu exercised his constitutional prerogative of mercy by granting a posthumous state pardon to several of the awardees, including the late Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni Nine, declaring that their wrongful execution under military rule remains a scar on the nation’s conscience.
Below is the full list of the 66 awardees announced by President Tinubu:
Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR):
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua
Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON):
- Prof. Wole Soyinka
Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR):
- Kudirat Abiola
- Alhaji Balarabe Musa
- Pa Alfred Rewane
- Chief Bola Ige
- Pa Reuben Fasoranti
- Mobolaji Akinyemi
- Senator Abu Ibrahim
- Senator Ame Ebute
Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON):
- Prof. Humphrey Nwosu
- Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu
- Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti
- Alao Aka Bashorun
- Chief Frank Kokori
- Fredrick Fasehun
- Prof. Festus Iyayi
- Alhaja Sawaba Gambo
- Dr. Edwin Madunagu
- Dr. Alex Ibru
- Senator Ayo Fasanmi
- Senator Polycarp Nwite
- Dr. Nurudeen Olowopopo
- Prof. Olatunji Dare
- Bayo Onanuga
- Dare Babarinsa
- Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah
- Senator Shehu Sani
- Governor Uba Sani
- Barrister Femi Falana, SAN
- Prof. Shafideen Amuwo
- Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi
- Dr. Tunji Alausa
- Odia Ofeimun
- Barrister Felix Morka
- Barrister Ledum Mitee
- Hon. Olawale Osun
- Dr. Amos Akingba
- Prof. Segun Gbadegesin
- Dr. Kayode Shonoiki
- Prof. Julius Ihonvbere
- Prof. Bayo Williams
- Uncle Sam Amuka Pemu
- Ken Saro-Wiwa
Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON):
- Bagauda Kaltho
- Chima Ubani
- Emma Ezeazu
- Bamidele Aturu
- Dr. John Yima Sen
- Kunle Ajibade
- Nosa Igiebor
- Dapo Olorunyomi
- Ayo Obe
- Barrister Luke Aghanenu
- Hon. Labaran Maku
- Mr Nick Dazang
- Hon Abdul Oroh
- Seye Kehinde
- Saturday Dobee
- Nordu Eawo
- Daniel Gbooko
- Paul Levera
- Felix Nuate
- Baribor Bera
- Barinem Kiobel
- John Kpuine
President Tinubu closed his address by reaffirming his administration’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy and preserving the legacy of those who laid down their lives for the nation’s freedom.
