President Bola Tinubu has conferred national honours on 50 Nigerians who played significant roles in the country’s pro-democracy struggle.
The 2026 Democracy Day honours list includes journalists, civil rights activists and senior military officers who contributed to the fight against military rule and the restoration of democratic governance in Nigeria.
Tinubu announced the honours on Friday as part of activities marking Democracy Day.
Speaking during the event, the President described June 12 as a landmark in Nigeria’s democratic history.
“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.
He stated that Nigerians who now enjoy the benefits of democracy have a responsibility to protect and strengthen the institutions built through the sacrifices of pro-democracy campaigners.
“As beneficiaries of their struggle, we have a duty to strengthen and deepen the democratic institutions for which they fought. The greatest tribute we can pay is to build a Nigeria where freedom is protected, justice is upheld, opportunity is expanded, and government is accountable,” he added.
The President said the June 12, 1993 presidential election demonstrated the possibility of national unity and a shared democratic future.
According to him, while the heroes of June 12 fought to secure political freedom, the present generation must focus on achieving economic prosperity for Nigerians.
“June 12, 1993, revealed the possibility of a true Nigerian nation. The heroes of June 12 secured political freedom. Our challenge is to secure economic freedom.
“Democracy must be felt in the quality of people’s lives, in opportunities for youth, in prosperous farmers, successful entrepreneurs, and the dignity of our workers.
“Every generation has a defining responsibility. The generation of our founding fathers secured independence—the generation of June 12 secured democracy. Our generation must secure prosperity,” he said.
Tinubu also paid tribute to the honourees, noting that many of them endured persecution, imprisonment, exile and other hardships during the struggle for democracy.
The President said the awardees “suffered persecution, endured indignities, exile, incarceration, and, at times, solitary confinement, so that we have democracy today.”
Among those honoured are Ayoka Lawani, Tunde Fagbenle, Oladele Alake, Olatunji Bello, Louis Odion, Segun Babatope, Sam Omatseye, Ademola Osinubi, Bola Bolawole, Lade Bonuola, Femi Kusa, Debo Adeniran, Ayo Opadokun, Ralph Obiora, Ose Osayande, Osa Director, Sylvester Odion-Akhaine, Osagie Obayuwana, Joe Okei-Odumakin, Titus Mann, Joe Igbokwe, Richard Akinnola, George Mbah, Niran Malaolu, Ishola Williams, Femi Aborisade, Jenkins Alumona, Gbemiga Ogunleye, Muyiwa Adekeye, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju and Ike Okonta.
Posthumous honours were also conferred on Arthur Nwankwo and Ben Charles-Obi.
The list of soldier-democrats recognised by the President includes 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 added that the complete honours list would be released in the coming days.
