President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has conferred national honours on 50 Nigerians recognised for their roles in Nigeria's pro-democracy struggle. The honours were announced during the 2026 Democracy Day celebration, which took place on Friday, June 12.
Recognition for Pro-Democracy Heroes
The awardees include journalists, civil rights activists, and senior military officers who were associated with the resistance against military rule. In his Democracy Day address, Tinubu described June 12 as a historic moment in Nigeria's story, representing more than just an election and remaining central to the country's democratic identity.
Tinubu emphasised that Nigerians who now enjoy democratic rule have a responsibility to protect and strengthen the institutions built through the sacrifices of those who fought for change. He argued that honouring these figures should go beyond ceremonies and that democracy must translate into real improvements in people's lives through justice, accountability, opportunities for young people, and better economic conditions.
Economic Progress as the Next Challenge
Referring to the June 12 movement, Tinubu said political freedom had already been won, but stressed that the next challenge is economic progress and shared prosperity. He praised the awardees for the personal cost many paid during the struggle, stating that they suffered persecution, endured indignities, exile, incarceration, and solitary confinement so that Nigeria could have democracy today.
Tinubu added that while previous generations delivered independence and democratic rule, the current generation must focus on building prosperity.
Full List of Awardees
The following individuals were honoured:
- 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 (rtd)
- Femi Aborisade
- Jenkins Alumona
- Gbemiga Ogunleye
- Muyiwa Adekeye
- Babajide Kolade-Otitoju
- Ike Okonta
Military Honourees
Honours were also conferred on soldier-democrats who played a part in the June 12 struggle:
- Major General MA Garba
- Brigadier General Lawal Jaafaru Isa
- Col Umar Farouk Ahmed
- Col Sambo Dasuki
- Col Lawan Gwadabe
- Brigadier Jonathan Ndam Temlong
- Col Musa Shehu
- Major General Chris Eze
- Major General Harris Dzarma
- Col Isa Jibrin
- Maj. General Joseph Oshanupin
- Col Olusegun Oloruntoba, Olugbede of Gbede Kingdom
- Lieutenant Colonel Happy Kefas Bulus
- Col J Okai
- Col Emmanuel Ndubueze
- Lt Col Yakubu Muazu
- Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar, the Current Etsu Nupe, who is already the holder of the CFR title.
Renaming of Kaduna Petroleum Institute
Earlier, President Tinubu renamed the Institute of Petroleum Studies in Kaduna after the late General Shehu Musa Yar'Adua, in recognition of his contributions to Nigeria's democratic development. The institution will now be known as the General Shehu Musa Yar'Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology, with a focus on geological sciences and engineering programmes.
